Summer exodus rocks Walsall

Demetriou is scheduled to have a medical with League One rivals Southend today – with the talented full-back opting to leave the Banks's Stadium so he can move closer to his London home.

Sawyers, meanwhile, is interesting a number of Championship clubs but is expected to reunite with former boss Dean Smith at Brentford after turning down the offer of a three-year contract at the Saddlers. Walsall offered new deals to 12 out-of-contract players at the end of last season. But so far only youngster Amadou Bakayoko has agreed new terms.

Each of those players was given until yesterday to tell the club whether they are staying on.

It is understood some have verbally committed their future to the club while the board are continuing negotiations with others.

However, it now looks certain Demetriou and Sawyers will follow Lalkovic out of the exit door.

The 23-year-old rejoined the Saddlers for a second spell last summer after leaving Barnsley. And he's now decided to move on after being offered a better contract elsewhere.

"Walsall offered me a deal but I didn't like what they offered," Lalkovic said. "I thought they would offer me a bit more because they knew other clubs were interested in me.

"I was third top goal scorer last season, got a lot of assists and was part of a team that almost got promoted.

"The terms offered were not what I was expecting. But my decision is nothing to do with the club as a whole.

"Walsall is a fantastic club. I love Walsall fans, I love the staff and I love the whole club. It's only the terms of the contract I didn't like."

A firm fans' favourite, Lalkovic has been approached by clubs in the Championship, League One and League Two since the end of the season. The winger now looks destined to remain in England but promised to be cheering the Saddlers on from afar next season.

"I will be Walsall's biggest fan next season," he added. "I'm not leaving on bad terms at all. I've spoken to Jon Whitney and everyone else at the club to say goodbye. And I want to say a massive thank-you to the fans. I really click with Walsall fans, we have a special relationship. That's why I was so disappointed we didn't go up last season. They deserved it and in the end we failed. But they are fantastic and I truly believe Walsall can be competing for a top six spot again."