There can be no questioning the fact that this has been an excellent season for Norwich City.

Following their relegation from the Premier League after just one year in the top-flight of English football last season, the Canaries have produced the perfect response to that.

Daniel Farke's side have wasted no time in securing an immediate promotion back to the Premier League this season, and are now on the cusp of securing their return to the top-flight as Championship champions.

That, of course, means that the Carrow Road club are set for a vital summer transfer window over the next few months, both in terms of incomings and outgoings, as they look to build a squad capable of keeping Norwich in the Premier League on a long-term basis this time around.

So how could that effect the squad that the Canaries start life back in the Premier League with on the opening day of next season?

Here, we've taken a look at what Norwich's starting XI might look like early next season, based on issues ranging from transfer rumours to contract situations.

One position where it seems unlikely we will see much change between now and the start of next season, comes between the posts, where Tim Krul will surely retain his position as the club's number one.

The Dutchman was one of the bright points of an otherwise hugely disappointing Premier League campaign last season, winning the club's Player of the Year award, so their should be no concerns about his ability to compete at that level.

Having produced another impressive and reliable campaign in goal for Norwich this season, while signing a new contract with the club until the summer of 2024, it would be a surprise if the 33-year-old is not lining up for Norwich on the opening day of next season.

Confirmation of Norwich's promotion to the Premier League means the club are now already guaranteed to make one permanent signing this summer, in the form of Dimitris Giannoulis.

The left-back joined Norwich on loan from PAOK is his native Greece back in the January transfer window, in a move that included the obligation for the Canaries to make that deal permanent if they win promotion, something they have of course now down.

The Greek international, who has made 15 appearances for Daniel Farke's side since his arrival at Carrow Road, is apparently set to cost Norwich around £6.7million, with that investment something Norwich will surely want to get a return on in the Premier League.

Norwich's return to the Premier League, means that Grant Hanley looks set to another chance to show what he can do in the top-flight of English football at the heart of the Canaries' defence.

The Norwich captain has produced a string of colossal performances at centre back across the course of the campaign, and you imagine Daniel Farke will once again want his significant presence to help lead this side on their return to the big time.

With just over two years remaining on his contract at Carrow Road, Hanley is in a position to do exactly that, and the 29-year-old's experience at that level could certainly be useful again next season.

While Norwich's promotion means that Ben Gibson's loan move from Burnley looks set to be made permanent this summer, the ankle injury he suffered in the draw with Blackburn last month means it remains to be seen if he will be available for the start of next season.

If he is not, then the Canaries may need a new partner for Hanley to start the season at centre back alongside, and it seems one potential candidate to fill that role has emerged in the shape of Kristoffer Ajer.

Recent reports have claimed that Norwich are keen on the Norwegian, who is expected to leave Celtic this summer, as he enters the final year of his contract at Parkhead, and his experience would certainly be useful for the Canaries.

Right-back looks set to be a position that could be crucial for Norwich to address this summer, with reports claiming that the club will let Max Aarons leave for the right price at the end of this season, amid interest from a number of high profile clubs.

Should that happen, then bringing in a replacement for the 21-year-old will be key to the Canaries' hopes of staying in the Premier League next season, with one potential option seemingly emerging in the shape of Metz' Boubakar Kouyate.

The versatile 24-year-old, who can operate at right-back, centre back or defensive midfield, has recently been linked with a move to Norwich, after impressing in helping Metz to tenth in the Ligue 1 table this season, and his ability to play on the right of defence could be important if Aarons does move on.

Moving into midfield, and one player who will surely be desperate to try and prove himself again in the Premier League next season, is Kenny McLean.

The Scotland international has been one of the unsung heroes of the Canaries' promotion this season, operating as something of an engine room in the centre of the pitch, where his eye for a pass has been key to creating opportunities for Norwich further up the pitch.

With two years remaining on McLean's contract at Carrow Road, Norwich should be in a strong position to retain his services for next season, when they will surely be hoping he can have a similar impact in the Premier League, as he has in the Championship over the past few months.

While Norwich would surely want to bring Oliver Skipp back to the club next season following his outstanding loan spell from Tottenham in the current campaign, that seems unlikely to happen, with Football League World exclusively revealing this month, that the midfielder will be given a chance at Spurs next season.

As a result, Norwich may need to find a new option in the centre of midfield for next season, and reports from Turkey have claimed that Fenerbahce midfielder Ozan Tufan is a priority target for Farke this summer.

The Turkish international has made over 150 appearances for his current club, and his experience of both top-flight and European football could make him a more than useful asset to Norwich next season.

Another Norwich player whose future will certainly be in the spotlight again this summer, after an outstanding campaign in helping the club win promotion, is Emiliano Buendia.

The likes of Arsenal, Liverpool and Aston Villa have all been liked with Buendia ahead of the summer transfer window, although Norwich may have hope of retaining his services, with it being suggested that the Argentine will not push for a move this summer, should Farke want him to stay.

Given he is someone Norwich will surely want to keep, and with the club in a strong position to do that given there are still three years remaining on his contract, there does seem to be a possibility Buendia could be lining up for the Canaries when the new campaign gets underway.

Another of Norwich's attacking options who looks set to be the subject of much transfer speculation this summer, is Todd Cantwell.

Reports from the Daily Mail have suggested that Aston Villa are considering Cantwell as a possible replacement for Jack Grealish this summer, amid interest from Manchester City in the England international.

The figures involved in the report suggest the sale of Grealish would enable Villa to afford Norwich's £30million asking price for Cantwell, and one potential replacement for the Canaries in Huddersfield Lewis O'Brien, who is reportedly a target for the Carrow Road club, with the 22-year-old having scored three goals and provided three assists in 40 league games this season.

Upfront, you would expect that Teemu Pukki will once again play a role in leading the line for Norwich next season.

The Finland international has enjoyed yet another prolific campaign in the Championship this season, comfortably going well past the 20-goals mark, while his 11 goals in the Canaries struggling Premier League side last season, does suggest he has the ability to make an impact at top-flight level.

With just over a year remaining on his current Norwich deal, the club are also in a position to retain the 31-year-old's services for next season, and Pukki himself will surely be keen to get another crack at the Premier League.

One big problem for Norwich last season in the Premier League, is that with the exception of Pukki and Cantwell (six), no player scored more than a single league goal for the club.

That is something they will need to address if they are to be competitive next season, and it seems they are looking to do that, with reports from TeamTalk claiming the club are interested in VVV Venlo striker Giorgos Giakoumakis.

The Greek international has scored 24 goals in just 27 appearances for the Dutch top-flight strugglers, proving he is capable getting goals for a team with their backs against the wall, and that extra support to relieve some of the pressure on Pukki could certainly be welcome at Carrow Road.