Aston Villa have sounded out Manchester City about a sensational loan move for Emmanuel Adebayor.
The Telegraph says Villa have enquired about a loan deal for Adebayor as the Eastlands club prepares to conclude the 35m signing of Wolfsburg's Edin Dzeko next week.
The Togolese striker's £160,000-a-week wages at City would be a major stumbling block that would scupper any likelihood of a permanent transfer.
But Villa manager Gerard Houllier is understood to be keen to explore the possibility of a six-month loan deal due to concerns over the form and fitness of his current pool of forwards at Villa Park.
City manager Roberto Mancini will only sanction the release of Adebayor, who has started just two Premier League games this season, should he manage to successfully conclude the purchase of Dzeko.
