West Bromwich Albion 'to make £12m bid for Jeffrey Schlupp'

West Bromwich Albion are reportedly preparing a bid of around £12m for Leicester City winger Jeffrey Schlupp when the transfer window opens next month.

The 23-year-old has been with the Foxes for 11 years and featured 24 times for the side last season as they romped to the Premier League title.

Leicester manager Claudio Ranieri has preferred Marc Albrighton to Schlupp so far this term, however, which has seen him restricted to just four league appearances - three of them as a substitute.

Baggies boss Tony Pulis has been an admirer of Schlupp for some time and failed with a bid to bring him to The Hawthorns over the summer.

Following the club's acquisition by Chinese businessman Guochuan Lai in September, Pulis is believed to have a significant transfer kitty at his disposal and could easily afford Schlupp should the champions agree to a sale, according to The Sun.

The Baggies have also been linked with moves for Everton midfielder James McCarthy, Manchester City midfielder Fabian Delph and Bournemouth striker Benik Afobe in recent days.

West Brom's Midlands rivals Aston Villa are also said to be pondering a move for Schlupp when the transfer window opens.