OPINION
If Aston Villa earn promotion back to the Premier League this season, Steve Bruce and Tony Xia will have a big job on their hands as they look to construct a squad capable of competing in the top-flight.
The key for the Villans will be bringing in players that have experience playing in the Premier League, as that know-how is essential to any side that wants to stay in the top-flight.
And there is one player who will be available for free this summer that Villa must be quick to move for if they do get promoted: Swansea midfielder Ki Sung-Yeung.
As reported by the Mirror, the South Korea international is set to walk away from the Liberty Stadium when his contract comes to an end this summer.
The 29-year-old has spent six years at Swansea since a £6million move from Celtic, and has gone on to make 155 appearances for the south Wales club.
During his time at the Swans he has also embarked on a loan spell at Sunderland, which means he has made 159 appearances in the Premier League for the two clubs.
That kind of Premier League experience is not easy to find anywhere, especially not in a player that could be available on a free transfer.
Aside from his experience, Ki is a complete central midfielder, with a wide passing range supplemented by brilliant vision, and his shooting ability is severely underrated.
Villa’s current options at central midfield would not exactly inspire confidence heading into a Premier League season, with Jack Grealish and Mile Jedinak the only two that look like they’d make an impact in the top-flight.
Conor Hourihane has proved this season that he is not good enough, and players like Henri Lansbury, while experienced, should be dumped this summer.
Ki is the perfect addition to the Villa midfield, and Xia must recognise this and move quickly to secure the South Korea international if promotion is realised.