Transfer situations are exceptionally fluid, one minute you can be getting a handshake and assurances the deals will go through, the next they're doing a photoshot on some other pitch holding some other shirt!
It's our local club, and therefore many people may know so one who works there, or at the hotel/bowlplex etc who see/hear something. But even then, others read what they want into. Player X is going away to think about the offer could be it's obviously a done deal or proof it'll never happen!! That's what rumours are about, and it would be boring if it was any other way.
The one thing I would say, and you can believe me or not, is that we have upped our game from last year. The calibre of those being looked at is higher, we can compete financially with many teams at this level and (on the whole) much of the work is being done professionally behind the scenes. Still no guarantees, but I genuinely think that the vast majority will be pretty happy with the squad at the end of August.