CREWE boss Dario Gradi wants to avoid another summer of wrangling by completing a treble transfer swoop swiftly.

The club want things done and dusted ASAP as they look to assemble a squad capable of pushing for promotion next season.

Lincoln City's former centre-half pairing of Gareth Macauley and Jamie McCombe were top targets last year but they ended up at Leicester and Bristol City who also nabbed Liam Fontaine.

Gradi insists the club won't be hanging around this time while clubs or agents use Alex interest to instigate moves elsewhere.

"We'll move as soon as we can," he explained.

"We've got to avoid clubs using us to tout players about.

"The positive thing is that I have three names I am going to inquire about.

"We'll make a bid and they will either come or they won't, it will be done quickly or not at all.

Despite a loss of £1.5m over this season, Gradi says the club has to speculate to accumulate.

"We have a budget but it's not the absolute limit," he continued.

"We're aware of the need to try and keep costs down but we are also aware that we have to invest in players.

"It's like a shop.

"If there is no stock left and you have nothing to sell, you go out of business.

"It's always hard to attract players, we found one in Danny Woodards and they don't come around that often.

"I said to Steve (Holland) the other day, if you find a good player you should get him even if you don't need him.

"We wouldn't ignore anyone."

Two defenders, an experienced midfielder and a striker remain on the wish list.

"I do think if we started next season with this team, we'd have a decent chance," added Gradi.

"But we're not strong enough in depth.

"Losing the two strikers made such a big difference.

"Shaun Miller looks more of a longer-term prospect so we could do with a good striker.

"The two lads in midfield haven't lasted the pace, we could do with an experienced midfielder and we need two centre-halves.

"Dan (O'Donnell) would be fine, I've been happy with him and Baudet and I think they've had a good end to the season.

"I still haven't heard from Liverpool yet."

Gradi also wants contracts tied up quickly.

Full-back Darren Moss is likely to accept his two-year offer while young midfielder Mark Carrington has already said yes to his.

Mike Higdon looks set to reject an offer and head for pastures new while Rodney Jack, Darren Kempson, Paul Bignot and Adam Warlow await their fate.

Matt Bailey may get a surprise new deal as a centre-half.

"There are still a few that we are not sure about," admitted Gradi.

"They either sign a deal or it will be withdrawn by the end of next week.

"Matt has had a change of position.

"We'd felt he'd hit a brick wall as a centre-forward.

"But we put him at centre-half in a practise game and he was getting some success.

"It transferred across all his play and I wish I'd done it sooner.

"He's the type of player we need to decide on, we've got to make sure we get more investments right than not."

Certainly Gradi's last game under the tag of manager at least, Crewe sign off at automatic promotion hopefuls Nottingham Forest.

"We need to put out a decent team," he said.

"Forest have got something to play for and it is the right thing to do."