Dean Smith eyes Spanish gems for Walsall

The Saddlers boss spent last weekend in northern Spain, where he took in several games in the Segunda B Division – the country's third tier – with assistant Richard O'Kelly and player-coach Dean Holden.

Smith said the trio spotted numerous potential targets, as they look to improve the squad ahead of next season.

And the manager believes they might be attainable at bargain prices.

"We took in five or six games and it was a very worthwhile trip," explained Smith.

"There were a few players we spotted who we might look to bring over for pre-season.

"With the economic situation in Spain the past few years, funding has fallen through for a lot of clubs outside the top four or five.

"It means players are more affordable than they perhaps were in the past."

Walsall have had several Spanish players on their books over the years, most notably Pedro Mathias who made almost 150 appearances during the early part of the last decade, while current Everton boss Roberto Martinez played for them during the 1990s.

The Spanish trip is a clear sign Smith is not limiting his search for fresh talent to these shores and he is hopeful of repeating the success he had with the likes of Emmanuel Ledesma, who was given his big break in the UK by the Saddlers and is now starring for Middlesbrough.

"There are some good players over there, some really talented players with strong technical ability," he added.

"We took a few names from it. What it comes down to is spotting these gems and then finding out their characters, whether they will fit in with us."

Now back in the UK, Smith will continue negotiations with members of his current squad who are out of contract this summer, most notably skipper Andy Butler.

While their futures remain up in the air, Smith believes planning for next season is further advanced than at this stage last year.

"I feel we have a real head-start on things this time around," he said.

"This time last year we still believed we would have Will Grigg at the club and then he left at the start of July.

"It left us searching in pre-season but this year I feel we are in a better place."