Tony Pulis is plotting an ambitious double swoop on Manchester United for England pair Chris Smalling and Phil Jones.
The West Brom boss has previously lured both Darren Fletcher and Jonny Evans from Old Trafford — although midfielder Fletcher has left again, joining Stoke on a Bosman this summer and stopper Evans is wanted by Leicester, who have had an initial bid rejected.
Now Pulis wants to bring in two more centre-halves, having already let Jonas Olsson leave in March, and with Gareth McAuley turning 38 in December.
Smalling, 27, and Jones, 25, both have two years left on their contracts.
But they face uncertain futures following the arrival of £30.8million Sweden international Victor Lindelof from Benfica last month to play alongside last summer's big-money central defensive signing Eric Bailly.
Boss Jose Mourinho publicly questioned the pair’s mentality last season, accusing them of being cautious in their rehabilitation from injuries.
Smalling’s failure to play through the pain barrier at Swansea in November particularly annoyed the Special One.
Pulis is a huge admirer of the duo — they can play at the back together, and he also likes Jones’ versatility, which means he can also operate as a holding midfielder.
The Welshman insists their international prospects will not be hindered at The Hawthorns, after buying Jake Livermore from Hull in January and helping get the midfielder back in the Three Lions squad.
United paid Fulham £10m for Smalling in summer 2010 and landed Jones from Blackburn a year later for £16.5m.
Pulis is also in talks to sign Bournemouth utility defender Marc Wilson permanently for £1m, after bringing him in on loan in January, but has prioritised trying to land Smalling and Jones in an impressive double swoop.
He also has an interest in Ben Gibson of relegated Middlesbrough but the England defender has various other suitors, including Arsenal and Stoke.