Although the Baggies have not yet announced their schedule, it's understood they are planning to visit Shanghai, where owner Guochuan Lai resides.

It's believed they are in talks to be included in the Premier League's Asia Trophy, a biennial tournament which was founded in 2003.

Liverpool are also expected to feature in the pre-season competition being held in Hong Kong and China.

The Reds are due to be based in Hong Kong, while the Baggies are expected to be hosted by cash-rich Shanghai SIPG, who bought Chelsea midfielder Oscar for £52million in January.

The Asia Trophy is set to involve three Premier League sides, Shanghai SIPG, and Hong Kong's domestic champions.

Matches are due to take place in July, although the Baggies have not yet confirmed their attendance and have warned against supporters booking flights until the tour is announced.

Chinese entrepreneur Lai bought the club from Jeremy Peace for around £175million last year, and stated then that he wanted to strengthen the bond between China and the Baggies.

He lives in Shanghai and speaks to Albion chairman John Williams on the phone via interpreter, although Lai's business associate, Pi Yue Li, has been added to the Baggies board of directors.

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Head coach Tony Pulis is still planning to kick off pre-season for the 2017/18 campaign with his annual gruelling fitness camp in the Austrian hills.

It's believed the Baggies are also trying to organise a game in Europe to be played on their return from China, with German club Hoffenheim rumoured to be the opponents.

Last July, die-hard supporters were left furious and out of pocket when Dutch authorities cancelled Albion's pre-season friendly with PSV Eindhoven over fears the Dutch side would bring hooligans to the game.

Hundreds of fans had made the trip over to Arnhem in Holland for two scheduled matches, but only managed to see one.

Even though the cancellation was nothing to do with Albion, the club reimbursed the cost of the ticket and offered all those supporters affected free tickets to this season's League Cup match with Northampton Town and FA Cup third round clash with Derby County.

In 1978, Albion became the first professional English team to tour China, when they played in front of crowds of 80,000 and 89,400.