Stoke City have some key transfer decisions to make in the coming weeks as Steven Schumacher shapes his squad ahead of the new campaign.
The Potters have already moved to bring in some transfer targets, with standout goalkeeper Viktor Johansson, experienced centre-back Ben Gibson and exciting wing-back Eric Bocat arriving from Rotherham United, Norwich City and Sint-Truiden respectively.
Numerous first-team players such as Tyrese Campbell and Tom Edwards have departed upon the expiry of their contracts, while young centre-backs Matthew Baker and David Okagbue have rejoined Newport County and Walsall on respective permanent deals and promising goalkeeper Tommy Simkin has also joined the Saddlers on a season-long loan.
Stoke are yet to sell a senior player for a transfer fee so far this summer, but that will surely be set to change before the summer transfer window slams shut on August 30.
Two players that have been linked with moves away from the bet365 Stadium are midfielders Josh Laurent and Lewis Baker, and both could move on soon with replacements then needed.
Stoke should push to bring in former Wolverhampton Wanderers loanee Luke Cundle in the coming weeks if either Laurent or Baker leave, after he ended up impressing in his six-month spell at the club last campaign, despite a slow start to life in the Potteries.
Cundle can cover a number of positions in the midfield, is clearly liked by Schumacher after he loaned him to both Plymouth Argyle and Stoke last season, and it seems unlikely that he will be in Gary O’Neil’s plans, so the Potters could realistically get a deal done if there are exits soon.
