The Saddlers are close to making their first signings of the summer after Dean Smith held talks with two players regarding a move to the Bescot Stadium.
Talks took place with one player last night and Smith was due to meet with another this morning as the Saddlers look to push on next season.
A goalkeeper has been high up on Walsall’s priority list after Richard O’Donnell moved to League One rivals Wigan Athletic, while fans will be delighted a new striker is on the way to help ease the burden on 20-goal top scorer Tom Bradshaw.
"We are speaking to a few and we are close with a couple," Smith said. "I’ve been away on a family holiday but Neil Cutler has been very active, especially with speaking to goalkeepers. He has kept me in the loop and I met one player on Friday and I have another meeting planned Saturday – the other player is a forward.
We are hoping to have some new faces in the building soon, certainly in time for pre-season."
The boss feels having coach Neil Cutler on his staff makes Walsall a very attractive proposition for any potential new goalkeepers wanting to join the club.
“Goalkeeper is always a position we have been looking at and there is a lot of them out there as well,” he said. "I think a lot of them have seen the work Neil Cutler did with Richard O’Donnell and they would like a bit of that coaching. They would also like the opportunity to come, play in our environment and get better.
"We are after a goalkeeper who will come and compete with Craig MacGillivray for the number one jersey." revealed Smith.
Former Saddlers striker interests Everton
Meanwhile, Roberto Martinez's Everton side have reportedly joined the race to sign former Saddlers striker Troy Deeney - who helped Watford to automatic promotion into the Premier League last season. Walsall negotiated a sell-on clause when Deeney left the Banks’ for Watford back five years ago.
Newcastle United, under new management with Steve McClaren are also believed to be interested and are willing to pay £10million pounds for the forward who has scored 20 goals in three successive seasons.