While a number of transfer targets have been identified, departures also seem likely before the new season begins in August.

The club’s policy has been to develop and sell players, with the likes of Emiliano Buendía, Max Aarons and Andrew Omobamidele having been sold in recent years.

There is currently speculation over the futures of Gabriel Sara, Josh Sargent and Jonathan Rowe, who have been linked with Premier League clubs.

“It’s in our DNA and I think it’s the way any responsible club should be run,” Knapper said.

“If you have aspirations of having sustainable success then you have to trade.

“We’ve got a history of trading players and, whether [financially] we have to or we don’t, there’s always internal pressure from us because that [selling players] is just part of our process, so that will be no different.

“We’ve got talented players. It’s a great position to be in. You want to be in a position where you’ve got players other clubs are interested in, but let’s see how the market develops.”

He added: “If you want to achieve what we want to achieve, which is ultimately to get to the Premier League and stay there and try to establish ourselves, then we’re going to have to trade and to incrementally get better.

“We’re active in the market. We’re looking. We’re driven by seeing where we can be better.

“We know there are a couple of areas of the pitch that we’re interested in doing something with, but it’s important Johannes gets a chance to evaluate the squad as that will drive a lot of the decisions we make.”