Walsall forward Amadou Bakayoko set for Coventry after move hijacked

The 22-year-old was left out of the Saddlers squad that secured an opening day victory over Plymouth.

Speaking after that game, boss Dean Keates confirmed a bid had been accepted for the forward, which is understood to have been from Bristol Rovers.

But after seeing an offer rejected earlier this summer, Coventry reignited their interest and matched the offer on the table.

Bakayoko held talks with the Sky Blues yesterday and is believed to be keen on remaining in the West Midlands.

The Express & Star understands the fee for the striker is somewhere between £150,000 and £200,000.

Walsall are also likely to have insisted on a sell-on clause for the striker, who scored eight goals last season and has come through the youth ranks at the Banks’s Stadium.

In total Bakayoko, who was born in Sierra Leone, has scored 23 goals since making his Saddlers debut in December 2013.

Meanwhile, Keates has refused to rule out further exits before the window for permanent transfers closes.

The boss is hopeful of adding to his squad ahead of Thursday’s 5pm deadline.

But he said “anything is possible” when asked about potential exits.

“Anything can happen,” Keates said.

“Who knows what’s around the corner?

“With Ama we had some tentative calls, we had an offer the other week that was nowhere near what we wanted so we turned it down.

“Ama went about his business, he did well.

“An offer came in for him which met our valuation so we called the lad.

“We said it was an opportunity for him to go and have a chat with them because we were happy with what had been offered.

“He did that and we’ll see what happens.

“But as it stands, if he isn’t happy with what he is offered, he will come back to us.

“That’s football. Things can change very quickly at this time of year.”