Aston Villa defender Tommy Elphick is closing in on a move to bitter rivals Birmingham City, according to the Mail.
The newspaper claim that Blues manager Harry Redknapp is pushing hard to win the race for the centre-back, 29, and is hopeful a deal can be sealed by Tuesday evening.
The Mail report that Birmingham are in pole position to land Elphick despite their rivalry with Villa.
The former Bournemouth defender has slipped further down the pecking order at Villa Park after the club completed the landmark signing of John Terry.
The Chelsea legend has been appointed captain, which was handed to Elphick when he was signed for £4million just 12 months ago.
He lost the captaincy and his place in the first team following Steve Bruce’s appointment last October and made just nine starts under the former Sunderland, Wigan and Hull boss among 26 appearances across the entire campaign.
Redknapp is said to be in the market for a new centre-back, after losing out to Villa in the race for Terry’s signature.
Elphick might now be surplus to requirements at Villa, who can also call upon James Chester and Nathan Baker in central defence, but he has immense experience in the Championship accumulated at former clubs Bournemouth and Brighton.