Aston Villa could pull off a masterstroke by making a move for Victor Anichebe, with the 30-year-old forward still searching for a club after being released by Beijing Enterprises.
The Nigerian international moved to China from Sunderland after the Black Cats were relegated from the Premier League in 2017, but had is contract ripped up in the Far East after speaking out over what he believed to be immoral practices.
The forward, who spent seven years at Everton earlier in his career, has taken to Instagram to lift the lid on his troubles, and even went as far as to suggest that he would return to the Toffees and play for free, as reported in the Liverpool Echo.
That kind of philanthropic rhetoric might be a little hyperbolic, but it does suggest that Anichebe could be tempted by a return to England in a cut price deal, and the Villans should be the ones to offer him a new home.
Obviously, the striker would cost nothing but his wages, and at 30, still has a lot to offer.
A bustling, physical centre forward, he is also surprisingly adept with his feet, and even spent a profitable spell as a left winger during his time on Wearside.
With Tammy Abraham failing to report to training on Monday, as reported in the Mirror, and reports gathering pace regarding his exit, Villa will need a new striker this January, and Anichebe could be a cheap, if somewhat unexpected, solution.