With the former set to lose MLS-bound captain Steven Gerrard and the latter lacking true world-class quality in the middle of the park, both Liverpool and Manchester United have been linked with a number of central midfielders ahead of the summer window. And by now, we all know the names of the usual suspects; Paul Pogba, Kevin Strootman, Mateo Kovacic, Sami Khedira and Ilkay Gungodan, to mention a few meeting the equilibrium between availability and suitability in the reckoning of the tabloids.

So here's a suggestion from slightly further afield, yet considerably closer to home - Swansea City's pass-master general Ki Sung-Yeung.

The South Korean is a particularly rare player and often the victim of his own illusiveness. Whilst Jonjo Shelvey and Gylfi Sigurdsson reap the headlines for their 60 yard-lobs and match-winning free-kicks, Sung-Yeung has a more subtle, yet equally pivotal, effect on Swansea's results. He's the metronome; the conductor of play; the director of traffic; persistent in his short and snappy passes to maintain the Welsh outfit's unique tempo - a vital factor in their return to the Premier League's top half after a wayward 2013/14 campaign.

But he's not a sideways merchant like Tom Cleverley or Joe Allen - Ki S.Y. sprays the ball forward too, unleashing Swansea's dynamic front-line, and has averaged more passes forward and more successful long balls per match this term (28.3 and 2.2) than both the 'Welsh Xavi' of Liverpool (25.3 and 1.2) and United's summer signing Ander Herrera (26.3 and 2.1).

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Likewise, he's ambitious enough to make a difference going forward, netting six goals this season despite averaging under one shot per match. What's most impressive is the South Korean's ability to pick his attacking moments wisely in respect of his holding role, often making late runs to join attacks or regurgitate them from the edge of the area.

That all comes from the midfielder's blend of technical quality and vision. He's East Asia's answer to Andrea Pirlo, Swansea's incarnation of Michael Carrick, and this season particularly, has improved upon the defensive side of his game too. He's averaged 2.2 interceptions per match for the Swans this term, a monolithic jump from the 0.7 recorded during his loan spell at Sunderland last season.

Although agile and athletic, with a streamlined 6 foot 2 frame, the former Celtic star isn't the most physical or dynamic presence, which could deter United and Liverpool's interest. They've been more commonly linked with box-to-box, all-action central midfielders - such as the free-scoring Pogba or the industrious Strootman - whilst Sung-Yueng is closer to the tiki-taka mould.

But now 26 years of age, a superfluous run of form this season has been a real turning point for the former FC Seoul man, a coming of age campaign where the qualities demonstrated during his three years at Parkhead have finally transitioned over to the top end of the Premier League. He's been present during the Swans' biggest scalps this year - a double over the Red Devils and a Liberty Stadium victory against Arsenal - whilst Jose Mourinho felt compelled to mention the midfielder's absence as Chelsea put five past the Welsh side back in January.

The combination of events suggests Sung-Yueng is ready for a higher level. He's a shoo-in for Swansea's Player of the Year award this season, his vitality to the Swansea cause and Garry Monk's philosophy currently unrivaled throughout the squad.

But whether Liverpool or Manchester United are prepared to take the gamble, whilst more illustrious and better-proven targets pepper their radars, remains to be seen. Potential cost is another underlying factor; having extended his contract until 2018 last season and now emerged as an integral component of their starting Xi, Swansea certainly won't be letting Ki Sung-Yueng leave on the cheap.

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