Aston Villa are ahead of Chelsea in the battle for West Ham United midfielder Scott Parker.
The Daily Mail says Villa have moved ahead of Chelsea in the battle for Parker after West Ham decided they would rather the midfielder leave permanently.
The Midlands club tabled a £7million bid for the England midfielder and will offer Parker £65,000-per-week plus an extra £5,000 appearance bonus to join.
West Ham co-owner David Sullivan claimed earlier this week that the Hammers would prefer to loan Parker.
But there has since been a change of heart at boardroom level and the Upton Park club would now prefer to cash-in on Parker - who is valued at £8million.
Chelsea want Parker on loan until the end of the forthcoming season as they look for a short-term replacement for Michael Essien, who will miss up to six months with a serious knee injury.
But the Blues are not as keen on signing Parker on a permanent basis and Villa overtook them in the queue to land Parker following their tabled offer.
