Report: West Brom to submit improved £20M bid for United's Schneiderlin

West Bromwich Albion is to step up its pursuit of Morgan Schneiderlin with a reported £20-million bid, an improvement on the previous offer of £18 million after add-ons that was rejected by Manchester United.

There will be competition for the 27-year-old midfielder's signature from Everton, according to The Telegraph's John Percy, but Baggies boss Tony Pulis has already been granted approval from the club's new Chinese owner Guochuan Lai to submit the improved offer now that the January transfer window is open.

Schneiderlin is Pulis' current No. 1 target as he looks to build on a promising campaign so far. A 15-time France international, he represented Southampton with great distinction from 2008-15 before shifting to United for £24 million. Things haven't fared so well for him there, however, and he has fallen even further out of starting contention under Jose Mourinho this season.

At West Brom, he would supplement a squad that could see some outgoings in January. Offers are expected to be entertained for Jonas Olsson, while Callum McManaman has already been sent on loan to Sheffield Wednesday.