Aston Villa have been installed as the new favourites to sign Chelsea defender John Terry, according to the latest betting odds.
Sky Bet priced the Championship club at lunchtime on Monday at evens to land the Premier League veteran, 36, before the transfer window shuts on September 3.
Steve Bruce’s side are narrowly shorter than big rivals Birmingham, who are 11/10 to sign Terry, with the Midlands duo a long way clear in the betting of third favourites West Brom, who are 12/1.
This is a considerable drop in price compared to a week ago when Villa were 9/2 to sign Terry behind then clear favourites Bournemouth, who were 4/6.
The odds have drifted on Premier League outfit Bournemouth signing Terry to 12/1 as the likelihood grows that one of the finest defenders of the Premier League era will drop down a division to extend his career.
The Sun reported last week that Terry is keen to work with Villa manager Steve Bruce after the duo held talks over a round of golf.
Villa are looking to earn promotion from the second tier of English football after finishing in the bottom half of the table during the most recently concluded campaign.
Despite spending heavily during the last two transfer windows, the Midlands outfit struggled to match their investment with solid performances and it appears that Bruce is keen to recruit a proven winner into the Villa dressing room.
James Chester and Nathan Baker were the first choice centre-back pairing last season, with Tommy Elphick used as the main back-up option.
Terry’s contract at Chelsea is due to expire at the end of this month as he ends a remarkable 22-year association with the club in which he has won five Premier League titles and the Champions League.