Walsall Football Club first-team manager Dean Smith has provided another update on the status of French striker Mathieu Manset, whom the club are keen to agree terms with.Dean revealed that the one-year contract with an appearance activated clause for a further year is still on the table, and that Manset, along with his agent, have been given 24-48 hours to decide whether they would like to take up that option.
It is understood that Manset would prefer a flat-out two year deal, however Smith is less keen on that type of deal due to Manset failing to achieve a high level of fitness over the past few seasons.
Speaking to the Express & Star, Smith said; “I don’t believe the last two years of his career show the stability for me to offer the length of contract he wants.
“I have offered him a one-year contract with the option that if he plays a certain number of games a second year kicks in.
“Unfortunately he is not taking that bait at the moment. We are in a little bit of a stalemate but it is still bubbling along. Unless he finds something else, that is what’s on the table for him.
“But with the background I think it is too much of a risk to commit for two years when the stability has not been there before in his career.
“The offer is there. If he comes back to me in the next 24 to 48 hours and says he wants to accept it than I think we go with it but I am also looking at other avenues as well.
“I have a couple of things bubbling along at the moment which we have been hoping might come off. You are a little spoiled for choice with what is out there.”
24-year-old former Hereford United, Reading and Antwerp striker Manset joined the Saddlers on trial late last month and made a goal-scoring debut against Leicester City, a performance which earned him much praise from both press and supporters.