Arsenal have swooped in to beat Liverpool to the signing of Salford City’s promising young striker Will Wright, whose prolific goal-scoring record has drawn interest from several top clubs.
Initially, Liverpool looked set to secure the 17-year-old after making an offer to Salford. However, Arsenal have now stepped in and overtaken them in the race for the teenager’s signature. Reports indicate that Liverpool have pulled out of the deal, conceding defeat as Arsenal made a more enticing proposal.
Wright has been on the radar of multiple Premier League clubs—including Manchester City, Brentford, Leicester, and Burnley—thanks to his standout performances. Standing at 6ft 3in, he netted over 50 goals across all levels last season and has continued that form into pre-season, scoring four goals in friendlies. He also made four senior appearances during the last campaign.
According to The Sun, Arsenal have submitted a £250,000 bid with performance-related add-ons—far surpassing Liverpool’s £100,000 offer. The Gunners are confident this will secure Wright’s transfer.
This situation mirrors that of Martin Zubimendi, whose potential move to Liverpool collapsed, paving the way for his eventual £51 million switch to Arsenal earlier this summer.
Salford boss Karl Robinson has been vocal about Wright’s abilities. After a recent friendly in which Wright scored twice in a 2-2 draw with FC United of Manchester, Robinson praised the youngster:
“He’s top. He’s a local lad and someone we’re extremely proud of. He showed all of his qualities today… There’s no doubt he’s a natural goal scorer—we see it every day.”
It now appears that Wright’s future lies away from Salford, with Arsenal set to add another exciting talent to their ranks under Mikel Arteta
Will Wright has been enjoying his chance to lead the line during pre-season, embracing the opportunity to gain valuable experience.
“I feel great, I’m ready,” the young striker said recently. “It’s a brilliant opportunity for all of us. Even just getting to play in matches, let alone train with the first team, is huge.”
He added that he hopes to use his experience to inspire and elevate his peers:
“Getting this kind of chance, gaining experience, and then taking it back to the B team and academy—to influence them and hopefully help bring more players through and see more debuts—that’s the goal.”
Should Wright complete his move to Arsenal, he is expected to join their under-21 squad. The forward, originally from Preston, is currently in the second year of his scholarship at Salford City. His rise has been rapid—he was spotted just two years ago playing for grassroots clubs Euxton Villa and AFC Fylde.
The reported £250,000 transfer fee will be a welcome financial boost for Salford, who have remained in League Two since their 2019 promotion from the National League. Despite significant backing from the “Class of ’92,” the club has struggled to progress, reaching the play-offs only once amid frequent managerial changes.
