Russell Martin admitted there is excitement surrounding Norwich City as they aim to take another step forward – albeit for the first time without Grant Holt.

The Canaries' summer recruitment has been headlined by Ricky van Wolfswinkel and Nathan Redmond – and plenty of rumours have circulated since.

While Leroy Fer's speculated arrival was yet to materialise from FC Twente after he was spotted in Norwich for a medical earlier in the week, Dutch newspaper Da Telegraaf put a figure on Ajax's reported agreement for City to sign Toby Alderweireld – £6.7m the suggestion.

But that was dwarfed by Italian website Mediaset, who suggested City had 'almost done' a deal with Juventus for striker Fabio Quagliarella – involving a £7.5m fee and a package that included wages of £40,000 per week.

Whether or not those come off, Martin was looking forward to a third successive Premier League campaign – as well as aiming to improve on their 12th and last term's 11th placed finishes.

'The signings we've made are really exciting and we've been linked with players who a few years ago, even getting linked with these players you'd have never believed it,' said Martin, who just signed a new three-year deal.

'It shows how far we've come and how ambitious the club, board and manager are. For us players and for fans as well, it's exciting times and makes a real statement for where we want to be next year.

'It's all about being in this league. The Premier League is the pinnacle, and it's about staying there but not just that. It's about consolidating and trying to improve, and that's what we will try to do again.'

With Holt now a Wigan player, Martin seems most likely to replace him as City captain. But for now, he was more keen on filling another vacancy.

'I've lost my room-mate and a neighbour,' smiled Martin, speaking to Canaries Player. 'It (room-mate) was now going to be Michael Turner, so I'll have to ask him if he still wants me.

'We are all sad to see Grant go but we understand he's gone to a place that's good for him at this time in his career.

'It's a really good move for all parties. Grant has been unbelievable for this club. Not just on the pitch but off it, and no one will ever forget the input he's put in.

'I know he loved it here but he's excited about the next step in his career. We've had some great years out of him and he will be a big success at Wigan…we'll probably be playing against them next year.'