Blues rival Aston Villa for John Terry as Harry Redknapp confirms making offer

The former England skipper is a free agent this summer after calling time on his two decade-long Chelsea career and has already held informal talks with Steve Bruce over a possible switch to Villa Park.

Blues boss Harry Redknapp has now entered the race for the 36-year-old.

Redknapp has already pulled off one transfer coup with the capture of Brighton keeper David Stockdale on a free transfer.

He now plans to lure Terry with the offer of a coaching role at St Andrew’s, while attempting to persuade the Blues board to meet the player’s £100,000-a-week wage demands and confirmed an offer had been made during an interview with talkSPORT on Thursday morning.

Redknapp said: "I'd love to have him (Terry) at the football club. He's a fantastic captain and great leader.

"We've made him a good offer and we have done the best we can. It's up to John now, but we would love him at Birmingham."

He added: "He played for me the other week in Michael Carrick's testimonial.

"I had a chat with him and said to him come in - he's doing his coaching badges - have a year or two and who knows what he wants to do in the future?"

Bournemouth have been installed as favourites to sign Terry but it is thought he would be open to stepping down to the Championship.

Albion are also interested but reports they are holding serious talks with the former Chelsea captain are thought to be premature.

It is understood Terry is among a number of options the club are considering at centre-back this summer, and the Baggies have contacted his representatives to test the water.

But head coach Tony Pulis would rather sign a younger defender if possible and so the Baggies plan to pursue other targets first, while Terry’s wage demands are are also thought to be an issue for Albion.

Villa striker Jonathan Kodjia has, meanwhile, provided an update as he continues his recovery from a fractured fibula.

The 27-year-old posted videos of his rehabilitation routine on social media site Instagram. Kodjia is not expected to be fit for the start of next season.