Saddlers boss Michael Flynn has spoken to the local press and confirmed that recent arrival Danny Johnson was on the cusp of joining the club on a permanent deal only for the owner of parent club Mansfield Town to change their mind.
Meeting with the media after seeing his side defeat Solihull Moors in their final first-team pre-season outing of the summer, Flynn has made no secret of his desire to add more firepower in attack and thought he'd got his man, only for the terms to change.
The gaffer was ultimately able to land Johnson on a six-month loan - with the experienced attacker netting the opening goal against the Moors at the weekend - and believes the club will be at the front of the queue to land him permanently either in January or next summer.
Speaking via the Express & Star, and when asked whether he'd hoped to have secured a permanent move for the forward, Flynn confirmed; "We tried.
"We had agreed a two-year contract, and Mansfield have been good, but their owner changed their mind. You have to respect that.
"The only thing they were happy to do in the end was a six-month loan. It's been ongoing. It's nothing to do with our owners not backing me to give him a two-year contract.
"We agreed that, but look, circumstances. The one thing it gives us is that if Danny is here scoring goals and becomes available in January, and he enjoys it, it puts us at the front of the queue to sign him."
Main image: Danny Johnson - Walsall FC.