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Everton are hoping to seal an early £40m double deal for Morgan Schneiderlin and Memphis Depay in January.

Ronald Koeman wants to make the joint capture of both Manchester United players his first bit of business when the transfer window opens in eight days time.

Although West Bromwich Albion boss Tony Pulis has gone public with his club's £18m bid for Schneiderlin, the Blues remain in pole position to sign both the France international and Depay.

The ECHO understands that Roma, currently second in Serie A, are the Goodison outfit's main rivals for Depay's signature.

However Koeman is hopeful that both his targets know they would be key to his first-team plans, and are aware of the lucrative terms potentially on offer at Everton .

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Earlier today United boss Jose Mourinho confirmed that Schneiderlin has asked to leave.

Asked if Schneiderlin had requested to leave Old Trafford, Mourinho said: “Yes. 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’.”

The Toffees are also not ruling out the possibility of signing a central defender next month , with Southampton's Jose Fonte - who is likely to leave St Mary's - a possibility.