Walsall showed little mercy in their recent retained list, signaling that a huge rebuild will be underway in time for the 2026-27 campaign. Now, it appears they have their first striker target, with a forward who has played most of his trade at League One level.
With Jamie Jellis, Charlie Lakin, and Jamille Matt amongst those released by the West Midlands side, work is already underway on the transfer front, despite the club still in the process of appointing a permanent manager for next season.
As per reports by Alan Nixon, the Saddlers are lining up a move for one of Nottingham Forest’s academy assets.
Walsall Eye Move for Former Lincoln City Striker
According to reports, Walsall are keen on a move for Nottingham Forest’s Joe Gardner. Since January 2025, the striker has enjoyed his first steps into senior football with Lincoln City and Mansfield Town.
However, the 20-year-old has struggled to make a firm impact at either club, returning one goal for both while only making five starts for the Stags during his season-long loan at the club.
Gardner is held in high regard at Forest, but regular gametime is vital for his development, meaning that a drop down to League Two could be the right decision.
He is a direct, aggressive runner capable of operating in various positions across the frontline. The striker is regarded for his relentless work rate and ability to pick up positions to shoot from, and holds every hallmark of a potentially successful stint in League Two.
Is Gardner A Good Move for Walsall?
While the club has no permanent manager and has made a clear statement of an ongoing rebuild amid their recent retained list, there is no telling what their squad or playstyle will be like come early August.
However, the club’s recruitment team have persistently hit the mark with loan strikers. The likes of Nathan Lowe, Daniel Kanu, Danny Johnson, and Freddie Draper have persistently hit the mark during temporary stays at the Bescot.
Further attention will be paid towards their managerial appointment, but a potential move for Gardner should not be one under the radar, given Walsall’s track record with loan strikers.
The move would make perfect sense for the striker. Having struggled to truly make an impact in the third tier, game time should be an absolute priority. But he has regularly shown promise as a striker in the lower leagues, so the Saddlers could be a perfect place for a breakthrough season.
