Striker Jack Barham is close to signing an improved deal at Maidstone United.

Barham, 26, played a key role in the Stones’ National South title triumph, scoring 18 goals in half a season after recovering from a knee injury.

His haul included hat-tricks against Dartford, Eastbourne and Havant as United overhauled Dorking to win the league.

Maidstone had an option on Barham, as is the case throughout the squad, but manager Hakan Hayrettin has been negotiating new terms following promotion.

“Barham’s close,” said Hayrettin. “He’s our player anyway, we’ve re-engaged him, it’s just a case of doing the best I can for everybody.

“It’s important, having won promotion, that we try to reward everybody and take into account the increased commitments in the National League, with travel, et cetera.”

Hayrettin made his first signing of the summer last week when forward Sol Wanjau-Smith joined from Hungerford.

It’s a challenging market but further additions are on the way.

“I’m talking to three or four centre-forwards as we speak, I’m speaking to a defender and a winger,” said Hayrettin, who collected his manager-of-the-year award at the National League gala in Wales on Saturday night.

“Nothing’s done until it’s done.People are going after the same players and it’s hard to compete with some of the clubs and the money they’re paying.

“Everyone’s asking for inflated wages and I’m not willing to pay it if I don’t think they’re worth it.

“What I can say is, by this time next week, we’ll be in a position to unveil another two or three players.

“I’m tirelessly going about my job, trying to get the right players for the right money.”

Meanwhile, injured winger Joan Luque underwent a knee operation on Tuesday.

The 29-year-old, who received the player-of-the-year award at the league gala, scored 20 league goals for Hayrettin’s side.

He sat out the last four games after suffering a serious knee injury in the 1-0 win at Dartford and isn’t expected to play again until January at the earliest.

Luque will be missed as Maidstone bid to hit the ground running back in non-league’s top flight but Hayrettin has options.

“He’s had the operation and we’ll go from there,” said the manager.

“God knows how much we’ll miss him. I haven’t got a clue.

“We’ve brought in Sol Wanjau-Smith, who can play there, and Christie Pattisson can play there, so we have got people.

“I was with Luque at the dinner on Saturday night and he was in good spirits. He’ll still be around the squad.”