According to Sky Sports, Aston Villa are interested in signing former Chelsea captain John Terry this summer.

The 36-year-old is available on a free transfer having been released by the Blues at the end of the campaign following 19 seasons with the Premier League champions, and the Championship outfit are hoping that they can persuade the veteran centre-back to join them for a promotion push next term.

Despite having James Chester and Nathan Baker at the heart of his defence – and Tommy Elphick in reserve – Steve Bruce is keen to bring in a new central defender before the start of next season as the club look to improve on a disappointing 13th-place finish following their relegation from the top flight.

The Villa boss played golf with Terry in the Algarve last weekend and tried to persuade him to move to Villa Park, but it remains to be seen what will come from the meeting.

Here are three reasons Villa should steer clear of signing Terry…

He is on the decline

There is a reason that Antonio Conte decided to release John Terry rather than hand him say, a one-year deal this summer, and it is because he doesn’t feel he is good enough to perform in the Premier League any more.

The fact that the 36-year-old made just 14 appearances in all competitions for the Blues last season proves that, and it would be something of a risk for Bruce to give him an opportunity in the Championship considering his lack of football.

He is a short-term addition

While Steve Bruce may feel that Terry could prove to be a valuable addition in the Championship next season, it would seem to be a short-term addition.

If Villa are promoted it would surely be unlikely that the centre-back, who would be approaching his 38th birthday, would be a regular in the backline.

From that respect the club would perhaps be better off bringing in a central defender that can make the step up to the Premier League with them.

His wage demands

There is no doubt that Terry would have been on a sizeable wage at Chelsea and according to reports in The Sun, Brighton and Hove Albion have had to end their interest over his £100,000-a-week demands.

There is no way that Villa should try and match that no matter how much they are keen to bring him to the club.

The 36-year-old would have to lower his demands if he is going to be performing for a Championship outfit, and he may feel that he can still get a better deal with a Premier League club.

Do you agree, Villa fans? Let us know below.