Only a few weeks ago the idea of Joe Hart joining Torino on loan would have sounded like madness.

But that is exactly what’s about to happen, if reports are to believed, after he fell out of favour at Manchester City – and it seems Jack Wilshere could be set for a spell away from Arsenal as well.

So here are a few more high-profile bench-warmers who might benefit from a cheeky loan move.

1. Cesc Fabregas

Chelsea

Contrary to what has been written, the manager and I have a good relationship and he has NEVER told me that I can leave. He said…/ctd

— Cesc FÃ bregas Soler (@cesc4official) August 28, 2016

Fabregas definitely hasn’t fallen out with Chelsea manager Antonio Conte. We know this because he said so on Twitter. That hasn’t helped him get much first-team football though, as the former Arsenal man has only managed one 18-minute cameo from the bench since Conte arrived – unless you count a start against Bristol Rovers in the EFL Cup which, frankly, we don’t. Perhaps a loan move back to Spain is in order?

2. Aaron Lennon

Everton

(Jon Buckle/PA)

It was only a year ago that Lennon sealed his permanent move to Everton, but 12 months on he’s looking like a bit of an odd man out at Goodison. He’s notched up only 24 minutes of league football so far this season, and when he did start against Yeovil in the cup he was at right-back. Lennon may not be the player he once promised to be, but he could definitely do a job towards the lower end of the Premier League. As a bonus, if he does move, we could get some more classic Lennon transfer pictures.

3. Ashley Young

Manchester United

Palace can get a lot more than £15m for Zaha in today's market – especially with less than a week to go. Would #cpfc fans take Ashley Young?

— Anthony Hay (@Anthony_Hay) August 25, 2016

Forever on the cusp of being important since moving to Old Trafford back in 2011, Young’s most memorable moment in a Manchester United shirt remains that time a bird did its business in his mouth a couple of years ago. He’s yet to make it on to the pitch under Jose Mourinho and has been linked with a move to Crystal Palace. Really, it’s hard to see him as a Mourinho player so he should probably cut and run while he has the chance.

4. Ben Davies

Tottenham

(Joe Giddens/PA)

It’s probably fair to imagine that a lot of Wales players were envisioning bright futures for themselves after shining so brightly at Euro 2016. That hasn’t exactly panned out for Tottenham full-back Davies, who played every minute for his country in France before being suspended for the semi-final and hasn’t stepped on a pitch in anger since. Given Danny Rose’s impressive form, it’s hard to see that situation changing any time soon.

5. Kieran Gibbs

Arsenal

We're so blessed Kieran Gibbs is our second choice, would start at 16/17 other PL clubs.

— Pèrestafi (@_The12thMan) August 27, 2016

If Arsene Wenger is indeed in the mood for loaning out injury-prone England internationals, perhaps Gibbs could follow Wilshere out of the exit door. Gibbs, who managed just 15 appearances in the league last season, has played 22 minutes of Premier League football in August and could be forgiven for wishing the injury Nacho Monreal picked up at the weekend was more serious than it turned out to be. There’s no doubt he’s got the class to cut it at the top level – he just seems to be out of Wenger’s good books for some reason. Might he benefit from moving abroad like Hart?