Dean Smith ready to spend money wisely

The Saddlers boss has been handed total control of his transfer kitty for the 2015/16 season, giving him the power to spend the cash on fees or save it for increased wages.

While all new signings are a gamble, Saddlers fans have become so used to snapping up freebies that a new recruit who commanded a fee is sure to gain extra attention.

Walsall's last cash transfer came back in January 2006 when they snapped up James Constable from Chippenham Town.

The forward, who cost £4,000, had already scored two goals in six games during a loan spell with the Saddlers but struggled after making the move permanent.

Constable managed just one goal in 17 more games before leaving for Kidderminster.

While Constable struggled , Walsall's last six-figure signing enjoyed huge success.

Little was known about Jorge Leitao when the Portuguese sensation was snapped up by the Saddlers for £150,000 in August 2000.

But after impressing in three trials, he scored 18 goals in his first season as Ray Graydon's men won promotion to the Championship.

The next year, Leitao netted the only goal in a 1-0 win at Sheffield United, a strike that saved Walsall from the drop. And in 2002/03 , he formed a formidable pairing with Brazilian José Junior in a front line which scored 30 goals.

Of course, not every striker who signs for money hits the ground running, with Dale Banton struggling after joining for a nominal fee from York in 1988.

Banton was brought in to help replace David Kelly, who was sold to West Ham, but the forward made just 10 appearances, failing to score in the process.

But it is the record signing of Alan Buckley that still produces the biggest smile for Saddlers fans after he rejoined from Birmingham for £175,000 back in June 1979.

The rest, as they say, is history with the striker scoring 49 goals in 178 games in his second stint having netted 125 in 241 in his first.

The club legend famously went on to become boss.