Amadou Bakayoko signs new Walsall contract

Young Walsall striker Amadou Bakayoko has signed a new contract – as goalkeeper Richard O'Donnell was linked with a move to Reading.

Bakayoko has penned a new deal with the duration to be determined by his performance.

But the Saddlers are no nearer to reaching an agreement with the out-of-contract O'Donnell, with the Royals the latest club believed to have an interest.

Bakayoko's new deal is thought to include performance-related clauses that will trigger various extensions after the 19-year-old made a handful of appearances off the substitutes' bench last season. He also enjoyed a loan spell with Conference side Southport.

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"I'm happy to have signed this new contract," he said.

"I can't wait for pre-season to start now so that I can get back down to work and show what I can do.

"It benefited me to go out on loan last season; to play regular, competitive first-team football certainly helped in my development and I only have to look at the progress that Kieron Morris has made to act as motivation.

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"I want to be playing regularly and scoring goals. I know that it will require plenty of hard work and determination, but we have these qualities amongst the squad here and I know that my own development will continue in this environment."

Meanwhile, sources in Berkshire claim Reading are keeping tabs on O'Donnell, who has yet to respond to the Saddlers' offer of a new deal.

Walsall's player-of-the-season is out of contract and assessing his options.

Reading boss Steve Clarke still hopes to persuade long-standing No.1 Adam Federici to sign a new deal. But O'Donnell is thought to be a possible target if the Aussie does not re-sign.