Walsall agree to sell Troy Deeney to Watford

Walsall today agreed to sell Troy Deeney to Watford.

The Saddlers have rejected four bids from the Hornets for the striker – who slapped in a transfer request this week – but are believed to have accepted a bid worth up to £650,000, including £150,000 if Watford reach the Premier League.

Their resolve has been broken and reports suggest the 22-year-old has already agreed a long-term deal and passed a medical at Vicarage Road.

If he is registered three hours before kick-off he could make his Watford debut in tonight's televised Championship opener at Norwich (7:45pm).

Walsall have played hardball over Watford's chase for their reigning Player of the Season and rejected a £375,000 bid last week.

Boss Chris Hutchings stated the Saddlers were under no pressure to flog Deeney and were no longer a selling club but have found Watford's fifth offer too good to refused.

But the deal throws the Saddlers' League One plans into disarray with MK Dons due to visit the Banks's Stadium for the season opener in 24 hours.

Hutchings has insisted the transfer saga hasn't upset his plans ahead of the new campaign but the loss of his star striker leaves a massive gap in his armoury.

He now only has new captain Darren Byfield, Alex Nicholls and Will Grigg as recognised strikers.

Deeney was understood to be unhappy with the Saddlers' hardline stance in trying to keep him before handing in a transfer request on Tuesday afternoon.

He top scored with 14 goals last season as Walsall finished 10th in League One – their highest position in six years.

He has scored 27 in 136 games for the Saddlers after making his debut at Torquay in April 2006.