"I'd like to think we might be nearer to signing the two boys, perhaps by the end of the week or the early part of next week," he told BBC Radio Kent.
"Then we can start pushing towards some new faces coming into the club."
He added: "We're pretty much there, there's just a few bits and pieces to tie up.
"They've got representatives - like most players have these days - and it doesn't make it easy."
Richards, 23, joined Priestfield in 2008 and has made 66 league appearances while Bentley, 32, has made 149 in his four years at the club.
Source: BBC Sport
Source: BBC Sport