Walsall manager Jon Whitney has spoken to the press and insisted that despite the player being linked with a plethora of clubs, he remains hopeful of agreeing a deal to retain the services of West Bromwich Albion starlet Tyler Roberts.
19-year-old Roberts, who has made eighteen first-team appearances since joining the Saddlers on a six-month loan deal in the summer, has less than six-months remaining on his contract with the Baggies and is understood to be attracting interest from several high-profile clubs including Rangers and Marseille.
Jon, speaking shortly after the Saddlers defeated Oxford United on Saturday afternoon, insisted that reserve team football is not the right move for Tyler, he said; "We’re still talking to Albion because we want to keep Tyler. I think for his best interests, he should stay. I think young players need to play games – under-23 football is not what Tyler needs. It won’t motivate him and it won’t help him to develop.
"I’m hoping, because we’ve got such a great relationship and understanding, that we will know this week. That helps me then because then I know if I’ve got to replace him."