Everton’s hopes of landing Morgan Schneiderlin have moved a step closer after Jose Mourinho confirmed that the midfielder wants to leave Manchester United.
Schneiderlin is hoping to be reunited with Ronald Koeman as part of a Blues double swoop in January alongside Old Trafford team mate Memphis Depay.
But West Brom are threatening to derail the Everton manager’s plans by offering a club-record fee of £18 million in their bid to land the France international.
Mourinho confirmed that Schneiderlin, 27, has know asked to end his 18-month association with the Red Devils after failing to feature in his first-team plans.
He said: “Yes (Schneiderlin has asked to leave)
“Great professional, fantastic boy, very honest, very open and opens his heart a couple of times.
“My answer is simple: if he’s playing regular with me I have the right to say no way.
£If he’s not playing regular I have no right to tell a player that wants to be happy – to say to a player you’re going nowhere
“My answer was, ‘If the offer is right and our board thinks that the offer is a good offer in relation to the quality of a very good player like Morgan, I would not stop him to go’.”