Fenerbahce are planning a £5 million bid for Aston Villa striker John Carew.

The Mirror says Carew is a cult hero of the Villa fans but in and out of Martin O'Neill's side, so the big-money move could be on if the Turks back up their interest with hard cash when the window opens.

The 30-year-old is well known in Turkey where he had one of the most successful spells of his wandering career with Besiktas and Fener want him next month to fire their bid for domestic glory and European qualification.

Villa will have a headache if the money is right because Carew is 30 and just 18 months from being out of contract and a free agent, putting O'Neill on the spot about his future.

Sources in Turkey claim Carew's camp are even discussing terms with Fenerbahce who are good payers and have signed some top stars in recent years, including Nicolas Anelka.