Walsall send pointed Twitter 'message' over Hearts target and release statement

On Sunday, the Evening News revealed that the Championship league leaders had agreed terms with the player, not the club, over a move to Tynecastle.

The 23-year-old is out of contract in the summer and free to speak to other teams.

Adebayo is Robbie Neilson’s “No.1 target” with the club hoping to land him this month if they can agree a deal with Walsall.

However, the League Two side released a statement relating to “press speculation”.

It read: “Walsall Football Club would like to place on record, in response to press speculation that has circulated this morning, that there is no truth whatsoever that we have agreed terms with any club to sell Elijah Adebayo.”

Adebayo netted twice in the weekend’s win at Port Vale, helping his side to a 3-1 win, keeping them in the hunt for the promotion places.

Walsall updated their Twitter header picture to Adebayo with his fingers in his ears.

The striker would cost Hearts £100,000 in development fees if he moved in the summer due to a FIFA ruling, most of which would go to former club Fulham where he emerged through the youth ranks.

Neilson spoke to the Evening News after the match about the club’s pursuit of the player and a phone call to Walsall manager Darrell Clarke.

“I spoke to their manager on Friday night about it," he said. “The problem was that they didn't understand the rules, so I had to explain to them what the rules are when it's a cross-border transfer.”

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