A number of Stoke City players will be heading into next season looking to prove a point to manager Michael O'Neill.

The Potters endured a solid if spectacular season in the Championship, finishing 14th which is something a lot of fans would have taken after two turbulent seasons before now.

O'Neill will now look to strengthen his squad, in a summer which is bound to be a busy one for the Potters.

Plans for next season have already been made. Jordan Cousins has been let go at the end of his contract, whilst options have been activated to extend John Obi Mikel and James Chester's time at the bet365 Stadium.

With so many first-team players out of contract at the end of next season, a lot of decisions are bound to be made this summer.

With finances likely to be tight in the transfer market, here, we take a look at nine free agents who Stoke should have on their transfer radar and why, as retained lists continue to be announced...

Diedhiou is looking for a new club after being let go by Bristol City at the end of this season, upon the expiry of his contract.

The 28-year-old departs Ashton Gate having scored an impressive 51 goals in 169 games for the Robins, after joining from Angers in 2017.

At 6-foot-4, Diedhiou would add plenty of physical presence to Stoke's front-line, but plenty of goal threat, also.

The striker has hit double figures in his four seasons in English football, and clearly knows how to find the net in the Championship, and Dean Holden will know him well too.

Stoke lacked goal threat from their strikers last season. Nick Powell ended the season as their top scorer with 12 goals, and Steven Fletcher struggled.

Diedhiou could be a much-needed addition, then.

Another striker option could be Sunderland's Charlie Wyke.

The striker scored 32 goals for the Black Cats in all competitions this season, but was unable to help them get over the line in their quest for promotion from League One.

Wyke is now out of contract, and whilst he may have been offered a new deal, a move away appears likely.

He's a real threat in the air and would offer something different to what Stoke currently have in their ranks.

To sign any 30+ goal forward on a free transfer would be a shrewd bit of business.

Another forward who is proven at this level is Britt Assombalonga.

Assombalonga has been released by Boro at the end of this season, four years after they splashed a club-record fee of £15million on his signature.

Assombalonga scored only five goals this season, but he hit double figures in each of his last four campaigns before then.

He is proven at this level and injuries have hampered him over the last few years, but he is undoubtedly a prolific goalscorer when you can play to his strengths.

Could Dean Holden use his connections to full effect here?

Football Insider report that Forest, Birmingham, Stoke and Millwall are all interested in the 29-year-old, who was released by Bristol City at the end of his contract.

Paterson scored three goals and added two assists in 20 league appearances this term, and what was an injury-hit campaign for the midfielder, but he thrived in the early stages of the season under Holden.

He can play out wide, as a number 10 or slightly deeper, and he has done very well at this level before.

It could be worth a shout.

This one would be a bit of a coup.

Mowatt is likely to have many options this summer, after playing such an influential role for Valerien Ismael's Barnsley this term.

But talks over a new deal have been ongoing for such a long time, now, and you get the feeling that he is set to move on from Oakwell.

Mowatt adds plenty in midfield. He scores goals, having netted eight goals and adding seven assists this term, but he also defends well too.

For Stoke to get him would be some statement of intent.

Joseph is at the different end of the spectrum.

The young Scotsman is very much a young, up and coming option who has impressed for Wigan this term.

Joseph scored five goals in 20 appearances in all competitions this term, but he is still learning.

He is clearly highly regarded, too, with Celtic, Rangers and Tottenham among the high-profile clubs after him.

He's available to sign for nothing this summer, but Wigan would demand a compensation fee he is under the age of 24.

Vrancic was a standout performer for Norwich as they won their first Championship title under Daniel Farke in 2018/19.

The Bosnian scored 10 goals in 36 games from midfield and registered seven assists, too, and also contributed to eight goals this season.

He's since been let go by Norwich at the expiry of his contract, and may want another to add another promotion to his CV.

Whilst Stoke do have a couple of ageing options in midfield in the likes of Mikel and Sam Clucas, Vrancic has been in decent form for a while now.

He'd be a good signing on a free.

Harris could be a good option for more than one reason.

The 27-year-old - who was recently let go by Sheffield Wednesday at the end of his contract - is a winger by trade, but was deployed as a wing-back for the Owls at times, so he could fit into the system O'Neill played in the second half of this season.

Harris registered four assists in 38 games this season, and whilst he hasn't been able to score, the winger has been a real creative spark.

He has been a steady player at this level for a few years now, and he would bring a great deal of pace and trickery out wide.

On a free transfer, it worth be a punt as he is entering his prime.

Dean Holden may feel like Bristol City's loss could be Stoke's gain here.

City's decision to let go of Liam Walsh surprised a few fans, with his contract running out at Ashton Gate.

The 23-year-old made only three league appearances for the Robins this term, but impressed for Coventry as they won promotion from League One last season.

The former Everton man scored three goals and added five assists for the Sky Blues in 26 League One matches, and he still has a lot to offer.

He would be a good addition to Stoke's current midfield options.