Tom Bradshaw: Wales striker hands in transfer request at Walsall

Tom Bradshaw spent five years with Shrewsbury before moving to Walsall

Walsall are set to lose striker Tom Bradshaw after the Wales international handed in a transfer request.

Bradshaw has scored 40 goals in 87 games since joining the Saddlers from Shrewsbury Town in June 2014.

The 23-year-old made his Wales debut in a friendly against Ukraine in March, but was unfit for the Euro 2016 squad.

"Tom has made his desire to leave abundantly clear, rejecting any offer of a new contract," the League One club said in a statement.

Bradshaw signed a new two-year contract at Walsall 12 months ago and boss Jon Whitney outlined his desire to keep the striker when he was confirmed in the job.

But Bradshaw, the subject of a reported bid from Brentford during the January transfer window, wants to move to a Championship club to enhance his international prospects.

"Whilst the club is disappointed with Tom's stance, given that it has played an instrumental part in his development, which has culminated in him achieving full Welsh honours during his time here," the statement added.

"The club have reluctantly accepted his request but have reiterated to Tom and his representatives that no player will leave Walsall FC unless the club's valuation is met."

Analysis - BBC WM's Rob Gurney

"From Walsall's point of view, it's disappointing, but totally unsurprising that Bradshaw has asked to leave.

"The Saddlers had a chance of keeping him if they'd won promotion to the Championship last season - defeat in the play-off semi-finals meant a parting of the ways was pretty inevitable.

"Bradshaw wants to be involved in the next chapter of Wales' exciting adventure under Chris Coleman, so remaining in the third tier wasn't really an option.

"Quite rightly, the club will hold out for what they think he's worth - surely seven figures or thereabouts - and wish him all the best, whilst acknowledging that signing a suitable replacement will be easier said than done.

"Tom Bradshaw has been good for Walsall, and Walsall have been good for Tom Bradshaw; 20 goals in each of the last two seasons is testament to that.

"As usual, though, ambition and wanting to better oneself, and one's salary, is a big driver for professional footballers, at whatever level of the game".