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Walsall looked set for promotion to League One through the majority of last season; however, a terrible run of form ended that dream.
Mat Sadler had impressed through the first part of the 2024/25 League Two season, having placed Walsall at the top of the table from early December right until April.
Walsall struggled in the second half of the season, and this would see them drop from the automatic promotion places in the play-offs.
The club failed to achieve promotion from the division, as they lost the League Two play-off final 1-0 to Wimbledon, seeing their season end with heartache.
However, the club are seemingly determined to make a statement of intent as they look to achieve promotion from the division, and it has begun with the summer transfer window as they look poised to bring in a Northern Ireland starlet.
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Walsall look to sign Northern Ireland starlet to aid their League Two promotion push
Walsall appear to be attempting to bolster their midfield, and they have turned to the Northern Irish Premiership in order to achieve this.
It is being reported in Belfast Live that Walsall are looking to bring in underage Northern Ireland international Dylan Sloan to add some quality to this position.
It is understood that Walsall have submitted a bid for the 21-year-old who currently plays for Larne FC, where he has been since an early age.
Larne will be disappointed to lose one of their key men ahead of the new campaign, but they will be determined to get a good deal for the Academy graduate.
Who is Dylan Sloan?
The 21-year-old came through the youth ranks of Larne, making his breakthrough to the first team squad under former boss Tiernan Lynch back in 2023.
Despite being young, Sloan has achieved a lot of success at Larne, being part of their back-to-back league-winning sides and also featuring for the club in Champions League qualifying.
| Appearances | Goals | Assists | Yellow Cards | Red Cards | |
| 2024/25 | 43 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| 2023/24 | 35 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 2022/23 | 17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Notably, the former Northern Ireland under-19 played in all six of Larne’s group games in last season’s UEFA Conference League, a historic campaign for the Invermen.
Sloan may not be a midfielder to add goals to Walsall; however, he is an important engine in the middle of the pitch with a creative mind to make chances for his teammates, a type of player Walsall will be grateful for, as they looked devoid of ideas at times last season.