Cardiff City are facing another summer of upheaval after completing their impressive great escape from relegation under boss Sabri Lamouchi.
The Frenchman delivered on the brief he was set when he arrived by keeping Cardiff in the Championship with two games to spare, and has already indicated he would be interested in extending his stay. Crucially, he's also suggested he has his own ideas over what will be needed in order to ensure Cardiff are not in this position again.
Plenty hinges on whether City decide to opt for Lamouchi as the man to take Cardiff forward long term, of course, while there's also clearly some uncertainty hanging over several members of the first-team squad.
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Whoever takes the job will have to be pretty creative in the transfer market. Under the terms of their transfer embargo, Cardiff will still have to scour around for free agents or loan targets in order to mould their squad for next season.
However, there are some pretty decent options out there. Here's a few Cardiff could target when the window re-opens.
Joe Bryan
As per reports across the Severn, sources have already indicated that the Fulham man is an early figure of interest for the Bluebirds, although Cardiff aren't by any means alone, with rivals Swansea City and Bristol City also believed to be monitoring his availability. The left-back has spent the season out on loan with OGC Nice in France, but has struggled for game-time. Nevertheless he's likely to have plenty of suitors in the Championship and beyond.
Jack Robinson
Has been a regular for Sheffield United, who recently confirmed their return to the Premier League, just as he was under Lamouchi at Nottingham Forest a few years ago. Robinson's sale to the Blades came as a surprise to the current Cardiff boss at the time, and it's clear they enjoyed a decent working relationship. Given United have since earned a place in the top flight, one suspects the player's preference would be to stay at Bramall Lane. But if a new deal can't be reached, could Lamouchi possibly tempt him to move to south Wales?
Lewis Grabban
The striker has been a free agent since January after leaving Al-Ahli. Proven at this level, he might well feel he still has something to offer. Would likely suit Lamouchi's brand of football too. Whether at 35 Cardiff could really get enough quality out of him is another matter entirely.
Danny Drinkwater
The midfielder is a Premier League winner, but since making the move to Chelsea his career has nosedived, although admittedly injuries have certainly made life tougher. Still without a club, he's on the search for a fresh start.
Britt Assombalonga
The experienced striker made his return to the Championship with Watford back in January after an ill-fated spell in Turkey. Has struck two goals for the Hornets since, but has seen his stay largely curtailed by injury. Even so, he could perhaps still do a job at this level.
Ross Stewart
The man known as the 'Loch Ness Drogba' has no shortage of admirers in the Championship, including Huddersfield boss Neil Warnock, who recently admitted he's "loved him for years". Sunderland would clearly be keen to keep him on board, but there doesn't appear to be any real progress on a potential new deal at this stage. It would certainly be a coup were Cardiff to land him, but stranger things have happened.
Callum Elder
Hull exercised the option to trigger a one-year extension last year, but there seems to be something of an impasse with his new deal 12 months on. A highly accomplished full-back. He'd undoubtedly bring some much-needed quality to Cardiff's back line.
Ben Woodburn
A name that needs little introduction in these parts. Woodburn has been a regular for Preston North End this season, kickstarting a career that was previously stagnating at Liverpool, where he first shot through the ranks. His current deal is up this summer, and Preston have the option to extend. Should he become available, though, one can only wonder whether an emotional return to Wales might well be a possibility.
Jack Colback
One of the more experienced members of Steve Cooper's squad, he has struggled for game-time in the Premier League this season. There's doesn't seem to much in the way of developments on a new deal, with the club perhaps waiting to see what division they'll be in next season. But, as things stand the former Newcastle United man is set to leave the City Ground. Would bring bags of experience and quality to any midfield at this level.
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