Aston Villa are favourites to sign Stoke City midfielder Glenn Whelan, according to the latest betting odds.
Leading bookmaker Sky Bet have priced the 33-year-old at 7/4 to make a switch from the Premier League club to the Championship side before September 3.
Gary Rowett’s Derby County, who are one of the favourites to earn promotion next season, are also in the running for his signature and they are priced at 3/1.
Villa, who spent heavily during their previous two transfer windows, are yet to add a new player to their ranks this summer after they failed to earn promotion to the Premier League during the recently concluded campaign.
Steve Bruce will be under huge pressure to help the club make their return to the top tier, with the Midlands side assembling the most expensive squad in Championship history.
Republic of Ireland international Whelan, who has won 81 caps for his home country, would add experience to the Villa squad if he were to make a summer switch.
He is a defensive-minded midfielder and he was a regular member of Mark Hughes’ side last term as they finished off the season in the bottom half of the table.
During his career, Whelan has also played for Yorkshire outfit Sheffield Wednesday and he has made 121 appearances in the second tier of English football.