Liverpool are set to sign wonderkid Will Wright despite Arsenal’s verbal agreement with Salford City over a transfer move, according to 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 did not 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 in the transfer race.
Liverpool have agreed a deal with Wright’s club Salford and personal terms with the player himself, The Athletic have reported.
It’s believed that Wright was keen to join Liverpool instead of Arsenal because he wanted to remain in the north west of England.
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Who is 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 youngster came off the bench in a 3-2 win over Wolves U21s in the EFL Trophy.
Wright then played against Manchester City in the 2024-25 FA Cup, a game in which Pep Guardiola’s side defeated Salford 8-0 in the third round.
He went on to make two appearances in League Two – the fourth tier of English football – before the end 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 in the club’s B team.
Wright set to work under former Wales boss
It’s thought that the young English star will initially join 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 is 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 coaching 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 charge of the national team, which saw numerous pathway players make it into the senior squad.
‘This is something we have seen first-hand at Liverpool with several of our academy players making significant progress on the international stage under Rob’s guidance.’