Liverpool are set to sign wonderkid Will Wright despite Arsenal’s verbal agreement with Salford City over a transfer move, in line with reports.
Arsenal agreed a verbal deal to sign the 17-year-old striker for around £200k plus add-ons two weeks ago – with the north Londoners having originally look set to hijack Liverpool’s move for the talented teenager.
The Gunners didn’t agree personal terms, though, with Wright set for a switch to Anfield after Liverpool increased their first bid of £100k plus add-ons to match Arsenal’s offer and move back ahead within the transfer race.
Liverpool have agreed a take care of Wright’s club Salford and private terms with the player himself, The Athletic have reported.
It’s believed that Wright was keen to hitch Liverpool as an alternative of Arsenal because he desired to remain within the north west of England.
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Who’s Will Wright?
Wright made his first-team debut for Salford, the club owned by Manchester United legends Gary Neville and David Beckham, in November.
The teenager got here off the bench in a 3-2 win over Wolves U21s within the EFL Trophy.
Wright then played against Manchester City within the 2024-25 FA Cup, a game during which Pep Guardiola’s side defeated Salford 8-0 within the third round.
He went on to make two appearances in League Two – the fourth tier of English football – before the top of last season, against Port Vale and Bradford City respectively.
Prior to playing in Salford’s first team, Wright had been a prolific goalscorer at youth level and within the club’s B team.
Wright set to work under former Wales boss
It’s thought that the young English star will initially meet up with Liverpool U21s once he joins the Premier League champions from Salford.
Wright has impressed for Salford in pre-season this month, scoring two goals in a 2-2 draw against FC United of Manchester.
He’s now set to play under former Wales manager Rob Page, who was appointed Liverpool U21s head coach earlier this summer.
Speaking after Page’s arrival, Liverpool academy director Alex Inglethorpe told the club’s website: ‘Rob brings a wealth of playing and training experience to a key role as young players look to bridge that gap from academy prospect to first-team footballers.
‘His recent achievements in guiding Wales to the last 16 at Euro 2020 before qualifying for the 2022 World Cup speak for themselves.
‘But perhaps less heralded is the work that took place during his time in control of the national team, which saw quite a few pathway players make it into the senior squad.
‘That is something we’ve got seen first-hand at Liverpool with several of our academy players making significant progress on the international stage under Rob’s guidance.’
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