Stoke chief executive Tony Scholes says the club's search for Premier League players is well underway - but he knows Tony Pulis will not rush.The Potters have yet to complete a signing since winning automatic promotion from the Championship three weeks ago, but Scholes says the club were looking at targets even before the season had finished.
He told BBC Radio Stoke: "Tony Pulis started (looking at players) prior to going up. The process of signing a player can sometimes be a long one.
"We are very diligent when it comes to checking out a player is right for us - his character and background, things that have served us well in the past."
Pulis has so far kept his cards close to his chest over which players he is looking at, but Marton Fulop, Marlon Harewood and Guirane N'Daw are three players thought to be on his wanted list, while Carlo Nash should also arrive from Wigan following a successful loan spell.
Fulop joined the club on loan from Sunderland earlier in the season but he returned to the Stadium of Light without playing a game following an injury to Darren Ward. Pulis has retained his interest in the Hungary goalkeeper, though, and the 25-year-old could arrive for around £1.5million.
Harewood, meanwhile, was also close to joining City on loan in January but Martin O'Neill blocked the move and the striker remained at Aston Villa. He is not a first choice at Villa Park, though, and is expected to leave the club this summer.
The Potters could face competition from Rangers and Fulham, according to newspaper reports, but they remain favourites to land the former West Ham star after convincing him of their ambition during talks in January.
Meanwhile N'Daw could also make his way to the Britannia Stadium after catching the eye of Pulis on a recent scouting trip to France. The Sochaux defender, who can also play in midfield, has attracted interest from the likes of Lyon, Celtic and Everton but could now join newly-promoted Stoke.
Sochaux are keen to hold on to the Senegal international but the 24-year-old is keen on a move to England and a £3million move is in the offing.
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