Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes believes he still needs to sign at least three or four more players.
Scotland international Shaun Maloney is expected to complete his move to Pittodrie and meet up with the Dons team at their training camp in St Andrews this week.
The former Celtic player would join Greg Tansey and Greg Stewart as new recruits for the forthcoming campaign, while Celtic midfielder Ryan Christie has returned for a second loan spell.
Speaking about Maloney, McInnes said: “We’ve been going at Shaun’s pace out of respect for him making his decision and dealing with Hull. All going well, we’ll maybe be able to make an announcement at the beginning of the week.
“I’m confident of getting him but we’ve been here before. Until someone actually signs we’re not certain.
“I don’t want to talk too much about him until we’ve signed him but he is the type of player with the level of ability to handle the demands at our club. That’s important.
“That’s what we’re trying to do. We might not always replace like for like in terms of what we’ve lost but it’s about bringing a certain level of player into the club.
“We feel we’ve brought that with young Ryan Christie and Greg Tansey as they are players who manage the ball well, while Greg Stewart has always been someone who catches the eye with his assists and goals.
“We’ve probably got another three or four signings to make. I’d like to bring in another centre forward, we need a wide player and another centre back.
“So we’ve got work to do, we’ve got targets, and we’re working hard to bring them in.”
The Dons enjoyed a comfortable start to their pre-season with a 3-0 victory against an inexperienced St Johnstone side at McDiarmid Park on Saturday thanks to goals from Adam Rooney, Christie and youngster Bruce Anderson.
New signings Stewart and Tansey both started, while former Caley Thistle defender Kevin McNaughton, who has been training with the Dons to regain fitness, and German trialist Berkay Dabanli were on the bench.
Saints, beaten 2-1 in the Europa League on Thursday by Lithuanian side FK Trakai, gave a debut to forward Callum Hendry, son of former Scotland international Colin, who has signed for the Perth club on a one-year deal.
The hosts should have taken the lead on the half-hour mark when Tansey was dispossessed, allowing Chris Kane to run clean through on goal but he could find no way past Joe Lewis.
Aberdeen made the breakthrough two minutes later when Rooney pounced on a slack back-pass from Jason Kerr and rounded Saints goalkeeper Alan Mannus and then defender Liam Gordon before walking the ball into an unguarded net.
The Dons doubled the advantage a minute before the break when Shay Logan’s floated cross fell perfectly for the unmarked Christie to head home from six yards out.
Aberdeen brought on nine substitutes in the 64th minute, with McNaughton and Dabanli among those taking to the field.
Youngster Anderson completed the scoring in the 86th minute when he smashed the ball home off the underside of the crossbar from 10 yards out.
McInnes said: “The game probably came quicker than we would have wanted as we normally play our first match behind closed doors.
“Originally, we thought the match was for Dave Mackay’s testimonial so we agreed to take the game. But it has helped St Johnstone keep sharp before their Europa League game on Thursday and it helps us get towards where we want to be.”