COMMENT By Will Butcher

Steve Bruce would close in on his fifth career promotion from the Championship to the Premier League by bringing Swansea winger Jefferson Montero to Aston Villa.

The Sun's transfer expert Alan Nixon claimed on his personal Twitter account that the 27-year-old has been encouraged to have talks with Qatari outfit Al-Rayyan.

The 63-time Ecuador international was left out of Swansea's squad to face Birmingham on Saturday, with Paul Clement's side winning 2-0 at St. Andrew's Stadium in his absence.

Montero fell down the pecking order since Clement's arrival as manager last season, with the former Derby County boss preferring the likes of Jordan Ayew, Gylfi Sigurdsson and Luciano Narsingh.

Bruce has already brought in plenty of talent from the Premier League in John Terry, Glenn Whelan, Ahmed El Mohamady and Sam Johnstone and is likely to be in the market for more.

Football Insider analyses three ways in which Montero would hugely improve the Midlands giants' chances of gaining promotion, including how the winger could reignite a relationship on the flank with a former teammate:

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Lack of width and creativity

Villa are currently lacking in options out wide with only Albert Adomah recognised as a natural wide man.

The likes of Jack Grealish, Leandro Bacuna and El Mohamady are better used in other areas of the pitch, so adding a winger should be one of Bruce's priorities with four weeks remaining in the transfer window.

Montero can be the man to remove that concern, bringing proven Premier League quality to Villa Park and the ability to create something out of nothing.

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Likely to be available for bargain fee

Swansea paid Mexican outfit Moncaras £4million back in the summer of 2014 to sign the former Villarreal winger, but he is likely to be available for less than that.

Falling out of favour with the Welsh side, Montero is set to leave the club with Swansea looking to help him push through a move.

If Villa can get Montero for half of what Swansea paid for him three years ago then they would be bringing in a bargain that could be the secret behind their promotion campaign.

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Swansea connection

With Adomah taking up his position on the right flank, Montero could form one third of a dangerous front three by lining up on the left in support of Jonathan Kodjia.

If signed, Bruce would see Montero hit the ground running in claret and blue as the attacker would be able to instantly reignite his relationship with left-back Neil Taylor.

The duo formed a formidable partnership at times in the Premier League on the left flank with Taylor on the left side of defence, and that could see both thrive next season.

In other Aston Villa transfer news, Bruce has given an update on the future of this defender after reports suggest he could leave the club.

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