As clubs across the Championship weigh up their options ahead of what's sure to be a busy summer transfer window, Stoke City supporters will like the noises coming out of their side.

According to The Sun reporter Alan Nixon, The Potters are still on course to announce the triple signing of Millwall striker Lee Gregory; Wigan midfielder Nick Powell and Barnsley goalkeeper Adam Davies on free transfers when their contracts expire next month.

Given the quality of the trio in question, Stoke fans will already feel more encouraged about next season than they will be about their underwhelming first season back in the Championship in the campaign just gone.

That return to the second tier saw Stoke finish 16th in the League, ending as the division's third lowest scorers, with only the bottom two - Bolton and Ipswich - finding the net on fewer occasions.

The arrivals of Gregory and Powell should go some way to remedying that, but it is not just in terms of incomings where Stoke fans should feel confident.

If recent reports are to be believed, then the club are also laying down a marker when it comes to what prices they will be allowing players to leave the club for.

The Sun claim they have slapped a £23million price tag on goalkeeper Jack Butland, who is said to be a target for Premier League duo Crystal Palace and Bournemouth.

This is something that will surely go down well with The Potters faithful. It is a clear indicator that Stoke will not let players go on the cheap to clubs in a higher division, even if it is a move the player himself wants - as is thought to be the case with Butland.

The goalkeeper has two years remaining on his Stoke contract, yet they are determined to get a fair price for their stopper, even if a move does seem inevitable.

With Davies ready to come in to the bet365 Stadium should Butland move on, Stoke fans will be expecting that fee received for Butland to help them strengthen the squad in a number of areas, given the much discussed summer overhaul that many feel is needed.

That would put the Staffordshire outfit in an even stronger position to return to the Premier League in 12 months time, which could conceivably put a reunion with Butland not too far away.

With Stoke strengthening their squad and putting down an emphatic marker over player sales right from the start of the summer, you can understand why Potters fans will be feeling optimistic about what next season can bring.