An exciting prospect - who is Walsall long-time loan target Aaron Loupalo-Bi

According to a report by journalist Peter O'Rourke, Walsall have won the race for his signature amid interest from a number of EFL clubs.

With the announcement that top scorer Daniel Kanu will remain on loan for the rest of the season, Sadler is looking to bolster his attacking ranks for a crucial second half of the season. 

Here is everything you need to know about the Saddlers' latest target on the loan market.

Fulham roots 

Joining Fulham at under-nine level, Loupalo-Bi became the most prolific under-18s striker in the country during the 2022-23 campaign. 

In total, he scored 25 goals in all competitions - including 18 in the league - which saw him claim the Golden Boot. 

Recognition on the international stage followed as Loupalo-Bi collected all three of his England under-18 caps in June 2023. 

He started in draws against Norway and Portugal, before coming off the bench in a 3-2 win over Australia. 

It was also during the Saddlers' 1-0 win over Fulham under-21s in the EFL Trophy last term that Loupalo-Bi is first believed to have landed on the Walsall's radar.

Breakthrough season 

Loupalo-Bi was forced to play out of position on the left wing last season due to Callum Osmand leading the line in the Lilywhites' 4-3-3 system. 

Osmand has since departed for Scottish heavyweights Celtic and Loupalo-Bi has picked up the mantle at the tip of attack with devastating effect. 

Not only did Loupalo-Bi hit the ground running in pre-season with the under-21s, but he also travelled to Portugal to join the first team tour last summer. 

He featured in a 3-1 victory against Nottingham Forest, before sharing a pitch with 2022 Ballon d'Or and five-time Champions League winner Karim Benzema in a 4-2 win over Saudi side Al-Ittihad. 

There were even calls for a potential first team breakthrough, but Loupalo-Bi has cemented his position as the main No 9 for the under-21s in his breakthrough campaign. 

His season started with a brace and an assist in a 3-2 win over Arsenal and he has gone on to extend his tally to eight goals in just nine games during an unbeaten start for Fulham in the Premier League 2.

In the newly-formed National League Cup, Loupalo-Bi netted a hat-trick in a 7-0 demolition of Sutton United and also grabbed a consolation in a heavy defeat at Gillingham in the EFL Trophy. 

First team prospect 

To date, Loupalo-Bi has not been named in the first team squad for a competitive fixture, but he is deemed an exciting prospect in the inner-circles at Fulham. 

As recently as September, Fulham handed Loupalo-Bi a new contract until 2028 with the option of extending by a further year.

"I've been here a long time, with plenty of ups and down, but I'm enjoying my football right now," he said after penning a new deal. 

"I'm now looking to push on and show people what I can do and hopefully by January, that's with the first team or out on loan getting senior football."

There had been concrete interest over a 28-day loan from a number of National League clubs, although the plan has always been for him to gain experience in the EFL. 

Loupalo-Bi spent the second half of last season on loan at Dagenham & Redbridge in the National League - registering one goal and one assist in 20 appearances. 

His performances at youth level have attracted attention from the EFL but Walsall appear to have won the race for his signature.