With the 2017/18 League One season just over seven weeks away, Jon Whitney's Walsall have been dealt another transfer blow as Southampton defender Jason McCarthy closes in on a transfer to Championship side Barnsley.
21-year-old McCarthy is believed to be close to agreeing terms on a £200,000 transfer to Oakwell which will bring to an end his time as St Mary's Stadium.
Jason, who played every single first-team game during his season-long loan spell with the Saddlers has been a target of the club since returning to his parent side at the end of last season.
Sheffield United were believed to be close to signing the former Wycombe Wanderers loanee but now appear to have missed out as the right-back is set to join former Saddler Tom Bradshaw in Paul Heckingbottom's squad.