Inter Milan, who sold Samuel Eto’o to Anzhi Makhachkala in August, are hoping to strike a deal to hire their erstwhile star player back over the winter.
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the Italian giants will contact Anzhi as soon as the transfer window opens in January to talk over a short-term loan.
The Russian Premier League takes a break in late November, with games not resuming until early March. At the same time, the Cameroonian national team have missed out on the African Cup of Nations, traditionally held in January and February.
So there is nothing preventing Eto’o from playing for Inter during the winter months – providing, of course, that Anzhi bosses agree to such a move.
The Black and Blues expect the 30-year-old to play nine Serie A games for them, including the derby against AC Milan.
And it is Inter’s archrivals – AC Milan – who pioneered the practice of short-term loans of star-players in Italy, borrowing David Beckham from the Los Angeles Galaxy on two occasions.
The world’s highest-paid footballer, Samuel Eto’o has so far scored three goals in five appearances for Anzhi.