This summer certainly looks set to be a fascinating one at Stoke City.

The Potters will spend the close season gearing up for another year in the Championship, following an underwhelming campaign that saw them fall well short of promotion this time around.

That is something that could lead to much discussion over the future of manager Michael O'Neill after his side's campaign draws to a close with Saturday afternoon clash at home to Coventry City.

On the pitch as well, there is likely to be a considerable amount of change, as Stoke look to put together a squad that can improve on this season, while there are also several players set to see their contracts with the club expire.

Given next season is set to start earlier than usual as well, it is likely Stoke will want that business done quickly, so they can focus on a return to action as soon as possible.

With that in mind, we've taken a look seven bits of Stoke transfer business that we could see happen by next month.

One issue at Stoke that could potentially be solved sooner rather than later, is the future of midfielder Joe Allen.

The midfielder and Stoke captain, who past 200 appearances for the club this season, is out of contract at the end of this season, However, it has been reported that Stoke are keen to extend Allen's stay with the club into a seventh season, something that is also said to appeal to the midfielder himself, meaning it would be little surprise to see a new contract for Allen announced in the next few weeks.

Another Stoke City player who sees his contract come to an end this season that the Potters face a big decision over, is Nick Powell.

The attacking midfielder can be one of the most dangerous in his position in the Championship on his day, but he has been blighted through injuries throughout his time with the Potters, not least this season, leaving Stoke with a tough to make over whether to trigger their option to extend his contract by a further 12 months. But with clubs needing to submit released and retained lists to the EFL by the 21st May, they do not have long left to make that call.

One player currently at Stoke who could be on the move come the summer, is Manchester City loanee Taylor Harwood-Bellis.

Reports have suggested that the 20-year-old centre back could be allowed to leave City on a permanent basis when his loan with the Potters end in the summer, and although O'Neill has admitted it is unlikely Stoke would be able to sign Harwood-Bellis permanently, if he is going to be available, his ability means they would be foolish not to at least look into the possibility of doing so.

Even if Stoke were to pull off a new deal to bring Harwood-Bellis back to the Bet365 Stadium for next season, you feel another new centre back could still be on the agenda for the Potters.

Both James Chester and Phil Jagielka are out of contract with Stoke this summer, and with both now well into their 30s, they are approaching the latter stages of their career, the Potters may well need to freshen up their options at the centre of defence, particularly with Harry Souttar still a long term injury absentee.

It is not just players on loan at Stoke that will need decisions made on their futures, but those out on loan from the Potters as well, and perhaps none more so, than Benik Afobe.

The striker has spent this season out on loan with Millwall, where he has top scored for Gary Rowett's side with 13 goals in 40 appearances in total, helping the Lions mount a strong play-off push. That form will no doubt attract plenty of interest in 29-year-old, and given he will be entering the final year of his Stoke contract this summer, the club may have to decide whether to cash in on him, or try and get him to replicate that sort goalscoring return for them next season.

The aforementioed centre back issue is not the only aspect of Stoke's defence that may need to be addressed in the summer, with the right-back spot also a position that could be set to change.

While Tommy Smith sees his contract expire at the end of this season, Demeaco Duhaney will be into the final year of his own contract with the Potters in the summer, having made just a handful of appearances since joining in August. That could mean that Stoke may want to look for a more established, long term option in that position come the summer, so this could be another area that is the subject of some speculation in the next few weeks.

Between the posts as well, a new goalkeeper may be something that could be worth Stoke looking into.

Jack Bonham and Josef Bursik have battled it for the number one spot at Stoke this season, with the role switching between the pair. But with Frank Fielding out of contract and having failed to make an appearance, the Potters may still want to add another option to their side between the posts to ensure they still have back-up available should one of their current shot-stopper pick up a serious injury, as was the case with Bursik earlier this season.