Walsall are set to win the race to sign out-of-contract AFC Fylde full-back Connor Barrett on a free transfer, according to journalist Pete O’Rourke.
The 22-year-old is yet to sign a new contract with the National League side and looks destined to reject their advances in favour of signing for the Saddlers ahead of the 2024/25 League Two campaign.
How did Barrett fair last season?
The full-back was ever-present for Chris Beech’s side last season, helping the football club to avoid relegation in their returning campaign back in the National League.
Barrett made 39 league appearances for AFC Fylde last season, scoring twice whilst also providing nine additional assists for the club. Similarly, the full-back also managed 4.5 interceptions, 6.9 ball recoveries and 8.5 duel wins per 90 minutes for the club last season – becoming one of the standout full-backs in the division.
Would this transfer benefit Walsall?
With Walsall losing Tom Knowles to Forest Green Rovers, the Saddlers were in need of a new right wing-back which was something previously highlighted by The Sports Deck’s Seb Taylor.
Signing a young full-back on a free transfer following an impressive campaign in the division below has a huge possibility of being successful. Barrett would fill a gap that the Saddlers have had since January 2023 and being on a permanent deal would also protect the football club financially in the long run.
Why a move to Walsall would benefit Barrett’s development
During the previous campaign, Barrett managed 11 goal contributions, which placed him as the second-best defender in the National League within that particular area, only beaten by Rochdale’s Jimmy Keohane who managed 13 contributions in total.
Following an impressive campaign being a first-team regular, Barrett is likely to have wanted to pursue a move that will continue to allow him to earn a lot of first-team minutes. Walsall have recently lost their right wing-back, which creates a gap and therefore an opportunity for Barrett to establish himself as a regular starter in League Two next season.