Ki fell out with Laudrupp which is why he was allowed to leave - played 30 odd games for Swansea last season. Using Swansea as an example of a team ahead of us is not really an insight though - we know how good a footballing team Swansea are (although the times I've seen them play us the last 2 seasons I would've been completely bored with their tippy tappy without shooting stuff with no plan B - it was like a prettier version of us)
There's nothing to stop us catching up to teams like this - I was very much disappopinted by the Ki signin when we made it but then found out that he fell out with Laudrupp in a training session and lost his place in the side - so he looked for first team footy and came to us. If he gets on well then go back and try to sign him in January or next Summer on a permanent deal and if he doesn't sign for us then let him be on his way and thank him for helping to keep us in the Premier League.
A lot of people complain about loaning players to develop other teams - in my eyes you loan a player not only to help the player and his parent club, but also to help strengthen your own side - Danny Rose was a prime example last season - he developed under us and went back to Spurs - thanks for the great times Danny and Daniel, it was definitely worth the time put into having you here as, without you, we'd have been woefully short in defence