• Terry has offer from Villa which could be worth more than £4m a year • West Brom may win race if they follow up interest with a proposal

John Terry is weighing up an offer to extend his career with Aston Villa in the Championship, but anticipates top-flight clubs proposing terms over the next few weeks as he prepares for life away from Chelsea.

The former England captain returned to the Premier League champions’ training base at Cobham this week to maintain his fitness before the expiry of his last contract at the club on 30 June. The 36-year-old, who ultimately wants to move into management, is determined to play on and has received a lucrative offer from Villa which, after bonuses and incentives, could be worth more than £4m a year.

John Terry gets ‘good offer’ from Harry Redknapp to join Birmingham City Read more

That is the most tempting contract on the table, though Terry’s representatives have also fielded interest from more than 10 clubs from England, China and Major League Soccer. Bournemouth, who had attempted to secure the veteran’s services in January, and Paul Clement’s Swansea City are among those alerted to his availability, though West Bromwich Albion, should they follow up an initial inquiry with a concrete bid, may prove the most attractive option.

Villa’s city rivals, Birmingham, have also made clear their intention to make him a marquee arrival this summer, with the manager, Harry Redknapp, pushing his credentials to the Championship club’s board. The Villa owner, Dr Tony Xia, was asked about Terry’s potential signing by a supporter on social media on Wednesday and responded: “Quoted Jose M. ‘I am not going to talk about a player who still belongs to another club’ as JT’s contract with CFC expires until 1/7.”

Terry has spent the summer on holiday with his family in Portugal, where he was pictured playing golf with the Villa manager, Steve Bruce, and expects to make a decision over the next fortnight. Chelsea have sold Asmir Begovic to Bournemouth, and are negotiating the England Under-21 striker Tammy Abraham’s year-long loan move to Swansea. A number of youngsters are expected to join Hull City, now under the management of the former Russia coach Leonid Slutsky, on loan or permanent deals.