According to reports in The Times, Aston Villa’s move for former Chelsea captain John Terry could be hijacked by arch-rivals Birmingham City.

What’s the word, then?

Well, Sky Sports reported on Tuesday that Villa manager Steve Bruce is keen to bring the 36-year-old to Villa Park this summer as he looks to mount a Championship promotion push next term.

The duo played golf together on the Algarve over the weekend and talked over terms, but City boss Harry Redknapp looks to have made a late bid to bring him to St Andrew’s instead.

Redknapp has been promised significant funds to try and help Birmingham push for promotion after they flirted with relegation last season, and he is keen to bring in experienced players over the summer in order to help them do that.

The Midlands rivals obviously feel he still has something to offer, and the battle is set to commence for his signature.

Would he want to play in the Championship?

He probably would, yes.

The 36-year-old knows he is at a stage of his career where he wants to be playing on a regular basis to make the most of his final years on the pitch, and realistically that is more likely to happen at a Championship club rather than a Premier League one.

The former Chelsea skipper is said to have had offers from the likes of Bournemouth and West Bromwich Albion, but they were unable to give him guarantees that he would be a regular in the starting line-up.

Would Terry prefer Villa or Birmingham?

It’s difficult to say.

With Villa having Steve Bruce in charge and the best squad on paper, you would expect them to have a better chance of winning promotion to the Premier League next season.

However, it could depend on how good Terry’s relationship with Harry Redknapp is, and Birmingham certainly got their business off to a positive start as they signed Brighton and Hove Albion stopper David Stockdale on Tuesday.

What’s the verdict, then?

Well, a move to the Championship is looking more and more likely for John Terry and Aston Villa and Birmingham City look to be the frontrunners for the 36-year-old’s signature.

The two clubs believe he can still offer something at this level and while Villa should be favourites, the chance to work with Redknapp may be more appealing.

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