JOHN TERRY is set to become one of the highest paid players in the world by moving to China on a £12million-a-year deal.

The centre-back, 35, is out of contract at Stamford Bridge this summer and it looks unlikely that his deal will be renewed by new boss Antonio Conte.

And SunSport can reveal Terry is close to agreeing a bumper payday with a move to the Chinese Super League.

Chinese outfits are enjoying a state-backed spending spree and would be willing to shell out on the former England captain due to his huge popularity in the country.

The defender went on a one-man promotional trip — the JT Captain China Tour — last summer and went to Shanghai in March.

Terry’s former England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson wants the defender at his club Shanghai SIPG.

And ex-Chelsea chief Phil Scolari has also made enquiries from champions Guangzhou Evergrande.

Another Stamford Bridge old-boy Dan Petrescu is boss at Jiangsu Suning — and would not mind having Terry to bolster his squad, either.

His former Chelsea team-mate Demba Ba now plays for now stars for Shanghai Shenhua and he has urged the Chelsea legend to follow in his footsteps.

He told The Sun last month: “If John contacts me, I’d tell him, ‘Get on the next plane over here... what are you waiting for?’ "

Terry has not yet been officially confirmed as leaving Chelsea but was not included in promotional material for next season’s kit.

The veteran has probably played his last game for Stamford Bridge outfit after getting a two-match ban for his second sending off of the season in the defeat against Sunderland.

A potential move by Terry to America has been ended as he would have to take a massive pay cut.

MLS clubs must abide by strict salary rules and can only offer certain ‘designated’ players comparable wages to European clubs, like his former team-mate Frank Lampard.

But no clubs in the MLS have indicated they want to sign him on a 'designated' player basis, meaning he would only earn around £5,000-per-week.

Lamps pockets £4m a year with New York City but defenders, like Cole, are unlikely to be picked as one of three designated players

His club, LA Galaxy, have Robbie Keane, Steven Gerrard and Giovani dos Santos as their star turns.

Former Aston Villa and Birmingham Liam Ridgewell is one exception but he is still not on relatively meagre terms with last season’s MLS Cup winners.

Blues legend Gianfranco Zola is keen to bring him to Qatari club Al Arabi, where he is manager.

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