Fourth bid for Troy Deeney rejected

Walsall have warned Watford off striker Troy Deeney after they rejected the Hornets' fourth bid.

The Saddlers dismissed another offer - understood to be £375,000 - yesterday from the Championship outfit in a clear statement of intent.

Watford have made Deeney their top target but the Saddlers are playing hardball and boss Chris Hutchings said they don't have to sell.

He said: "We are trying to keep our best players and we're not a selling club any more.

"We want to progress and to do that we want to keep our best players.

"He is someone we don't want to sell, but we can't stop clubs making bids for our players."

Chief executive Stefan Gamble also issued a firm message to the Hornets and believes the Saddlers can keep the striker, the club's player of the season last term.

He said: "We are not actively trying to sell Troy. We can't stop any offers being made but he is a very important player.

"I don't see why we can't keep him because we're not trying to sell him."

But Gamble admits the club don't know if Watford will return a fifth time after waiting over a week to make their fourth bid.

He said: "They've given no indication if they will make another offer."

Reports suggest the 22-year-old is unhappy with the Saddlers' hardline stance and is keen to move but Hutchings refused to comment on Deeney's state of mind.

The Walsall boss said: "As far as I'm concerned he's a young man who wants to better himself, but whether he is happy here I don't know."

The Saddlers travel to Port Vale for their final pre-season game tomorrow (3pm) before the League One season starts next Saturday with the visit of Milton Keynes Dons.

Walsall are also set to sign Manchester City defender Ryan McGivern on a season-long loan.

The Saddlers have sealed a deal for the Northern Ireland international after beating off competition from Crystal Palace and Oldham.