Darrell Clarke: Walsall transfer business unlikely

Like many clubs across the country, the Saddlers are having to make cost cutting measures to ensure they survive the likelihood of no fans at the Banks’s Stadium until well into next year.

Chairman Leigh Pomlett has already urged fans to help in any way they can with fundraising ideas, while also revealing all staff at the club have taken part in a ‘cost reduction programme’.

Now, Clarke has said Walsall will likely only do business if they can secure a ‘free loan’.

“They’ll be nothing happening with the financial state, I’d be amazed if that changes,” he said.

“Unless it was a free loan and it would have to be a free loan if I’m honest with you.

“They’ll be nobody coming in. Make no illusions, where we’re at financially and as a football club, they’ll certainly be no money spent on any player coming into the football club in this window.

“If I maybe get a free loan that would be quite helpful but we’ll have to wait and see.”

Walsall – as expected – are unlikely to make any moves before the international transfer window closes at 11pm tonight.

The domestic window will close at 5pm on October 16, meaning Walsall can still do business in this country for another nine days.

After retaining the majority of their squad from last season, the Saddlers made five signings before the season kicked off on September 5.

Rory Holden and Jack Rose, who both spent last season on-loan at the club, joined on permanent deals, while George Nurse joined on-loan and Hayden White and Emmanuel Osadebe joined on free transfers.

Meanwhile, as many football league clubs face an uncertain future, they are still waiting on news of financial aid from either the government or Premier League.

Although Clarke is hopeful that the aid will come, he insists the club cannot assume to receive it and must take precautions.

“We can’t work on hope, we have to work that we’re on our own and crack on with what we need to do,” he added.

“We have to look after our own house and see what develops from elsewhere and see if any funds are coming in from other avenues, which would obviously be very helpful.

“Seeing as that’s the avenue where they’re stopping fans coming, they’re stopping our business running, so you’re hoping there will be some help along the way as there has been in other sectors.”