Leicester City’s return to the Premier League will have significance as, after six seasons without representation from the East Midlands, one of England’s football rich regions returns to the top flight.

The ownership of the club by Thai billionaire Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha means the club have the ability to spend generously in the transfer window. The Foxes have already begun securing new faces in an attempt to ensure Premier League survival next season.

City have signed Marc Albrighton, a winger who was seen as very promising for Aston Villa not long ago, and Mathew Upson — a centerback who scored against Germany in the 2010 World Cup for England. Leicester City also signed goalkeeper Ben Hamer from Charlton, as well as highly-rated Manchester United youngster Jack Barmby.

Now the Foxes will look beyond journeymen-styled free agent players to potentially bigger names and higher wage players. The club has been linked with Gareth Barry, the out-of-contract former Premier League-winning midfielder for Manchester City, who spent this past season on loan at Everton. Frazier Campbell, who had a start-stop-start-season at relegated Cardiff City, is another prospect. Steve Sidwell, one of the few bright spots this past season for relegated Fulham, has also been rumored.

Bigger targets may also be on the radar after the World Cup. Manager Nigel Pearson is likely to have a big enough budget to freshen up the squad that ran away with the Championship this past season while bringing in some genuine quality.

Leicester City could be poised to make a push to finish in a midtable position this next season if the club can do a good job of securing transfers this summer. The Foxes have big plans and recently their chairman indicated he would like to compete for a European place in a few years time.

Under Martin O’Neill in the late 1990s and early 2000s, Leicester qualified for the UEFA Cup on multiple occasions. The Foxes also reached three Cup finals during that glorious period in the club’s history. Srivaddhanaprabha seeks a return to those days and perhaps even better days that will lie ahead for the Foxes.