Exclusive: Walsall reject £100k Burton Albion bid for Josh Gordon

The 25-year-old has been a mainstay in the Saddlers team since he signed from Leicester City on deadline day in the summer of 2018.

He signed on a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee and scored nine goals in all competitions as Walsall were relegated to League Two.

Last season, Gordon netted 12 times in the fourth tier and was the club's top goalscorer, resulting in him attracting interest from other clubs.

It is understood that League One Burton offered £100,000 on Thursday to secure Gordon's services – and it was rejected the same day by the Saddlers.

The deal was structured so that Walsall would receive £50,000 up front and the remaining £50,000 in add-ons.

Gordon scored against Burton last month in a pre-season friendly when the club's drew 1-1 at the Banks's Stadium.

Being utilised on the wing this season, he has already scored twice in four games.

The forward, who is in the final year of his Walsall contract, is reportedly being watched by clubs further up the pyramid.

National reports last month suggested Gordon was attracting interest from as high up as the Championship but that Walsall were holding out for a substantial fee if he was to leave the club.

The Saddlers, however, have shown their ambition to return to League One by refusing the Burton offer at a time when money is tight due to the financial impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

Gordon spent time at hometown club Stoke before making his name in non-league with Nantwich Town and Stafford Rangers.

It was there where he was picked up by reigning Premier League champions Leicester, scoring six goals in 27 outings in Premier League 2 before joining Walsall.