Alistair Smith features: 4 players AFC Wimbledon should be focused on signing across June | OneFootball

FLW previews four early summer signings that Johnnie Jackson's AFC Wimbledon could make this month

AFC Wimbledon's footballing season is now well and truly over after a memorable victory at Wembley, and so all focus now switches to the ins and outs of the transfer window.

And while the great day at the home of football was largely positive, considering it won the Dons promotion to the third tier, it has meant their preparation for the transfer has been slightly delayed.

Here at FLW, while we are sure there has been plenty going on behind the scenes in case of that exact problem, we have picked out four potential signings that could be good early business for Johnnie Jackson and his team.

Archie Mair

Goalkeeper is certainly going to be a big focus area for the Dons early on in this window, as they are in need of not one, but two keepers.

Second choice Lewis Ward was released following the expiry of his one-year deal at the club, and it now looks highly unlikely that Crystal Palace youngster Owen Goodman will return after a highly emotional message to all involved at the club was posted on Instagram.

For now, we will focus on just one for the Dons to sign, that being former Norwich City youngster and Notts County hero, Archie Mair.

The 24-year-old Scotsman was released on a free by the Norfolk-based side, so would be a cheap pick-up, however his lack of gametime in the past few seasons since his heroics for Notts County in their National League play-off victory over Chesterfield is a little concerning.

This may mean that he comes in as a second-choice pickup, but with legendary goalkeeping coach Ashley "Bayzo" Bayes at the club, who has a history of developing young keepers into greats, namely Aaron Ramsdale and the more recent Goodman being two standouts, there is every chance that Mair could quickly step up into the main frame.

He would certainly be suited to playing the way Jackson prefers from his keepers, having worked under the very technical coaching of former Swansea City boss Luke Williams, so this one would certainly be sensible considering his location to the south of England too.

Alistair Smith

Moving into midfield now with a very likely capture for the Dons in the shape of Alistair Smith, who has just spent the 24/25 campaign on loan at the club.

He really needs no introduction to those who have been lucky enough to see him waltz all over the pitch down at Plough Lane this season, but for those who have not, this would be a brilliant pickup for Jackson.

Smith played excellently alongside Jake Reeves in a two-man pairing, and was great in a trio as a more advanced midfielder alongside Myles Hippolyte, a role which he played to perfection at Wembley against Walsall.

Tall, strong and very akin to a modern-day Patrick Vieira, League One with Wimbledon would be the perfect step-up for Smith as he has previously struggled at this level with Lincoln City, who have just released him following his loan spell. Given he has certainly grown as a player since last playing in third tier, it really would make sense for all if he returned.

Again, another free transfer too, considering the Dons are one of the most cash-strapped sides in the division, mainly down to their unique fan-ownership model. This would be a strong signing that would boost morale within the team, as one of the Wembley heroes returns, but also in the stands with a fan-favourite helping the Dons do all they can to stay in League One in 25/26.

Bradley Ihionvien

Looking ahead to the frontline, and while this is not perhaps the first name on many Wimbledon fans' lips at the moment, Peterborough United's Bradley Ihionvien does present a really intriguing option to complete the quartet of strikers that Wimbledon currently have on the books.

Last season's top scorer, Matty Stevens, will be looking to carry his goalscoring form a division up and while both Omar Bugiel and Josh Kelly were not up to scratch at all last season, both offer something slightly different to Stevens, with Bugiel being a typically bullish, old-fashioned number nine, and Kelly being a fast, determined runner who can press extremely effectively. Ihionvien, then, would offer a mix of all three's qualities in quite raw form, given his age and relative inexperience in the EFL.

The Posh are not totally happy with the former Colchester prospect, having signed him only last summer, so a loan deal could be a good bit of business for both sides, but there is every chance too that the Dons have a chance to sign him permanently.

Strikers do come with a slightly inflated price tag, so considering Ihionvien is still young and has many years ahead to develop, he may be out of price range. But with only one striker spot needing filling in the squad at this point in time, a deal could be worked out that would give the Dons a promising signing for their return to the third tier.

Callum Johnson

The final signing to look at is to help cover the wing-back areas of the Dons' defence, namely on the right-hand side, with former Portsmouth defender Callum Johnson being somebody who looks to be on their way to Plough Lane if social media reports are to be believed.

Jackson utilised his wing-backs to great effect this season, but with both out of contract, and there being no reports just yet about whether either will continue their stay, Johnson could be a great option to begin bolstering the ranks.

He has not played a great deal while at Bradford City, who he joined last summer, with injuries hampering his time there, and with their promotion to the third tier too, the Bantams are quite happy to make the move happen to free up money and space in the squad.

He would perhaps come in as cover if either James Tilley or Josh Neufville decide to stay, but if the Dons are able to somehow keep his injury and fitness woes at bay, then he could become a solid starter, having shown good form previously for Mansfield Town.