Arsenal hijack Liverpool transfer move for wonderkid as Gunners repeat trick

Arsenal have reportedly muscled in to poach a highly-regarded young striker from under the noses of Liverpool. The Reds had been in pole position to sign Will Wright from Salford City after making the League Two club an offer.

But Liverpool have now accepted defeat in the race for the 17-year-old striker after Arsenal gazumped them. Wright has attracted attention from Manchester City, Brentford, Leicester City and Burnley with his goal scoring exploits.

The 6ft 3in striker scored more than 50 goals at all levels for Salford last season and has been on fire in pre-season. He has bagged four goals in friendlies for Karl Robinson’s side to continue his ascent after making four first-team appearances last season.

But it now seems as though his future lies away from the club owned by Gary Neville and David Beckham. The Sun reports that Arsenal have submitted a bid worth £250,000 plus add-ons for Wright.

They are confident that will be enough to land the young striker, with Liverpool having only offered around £100,000 plus add-ons.

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The Liverpool Echo says Liverpool have now walked away from the deal and the situation is similar to that of Martin Zubimendi, albeit at a lower level. Zubimendi has joined the Gunners in a £51million transfer this summer after a similar move to Liverpool collapsed last summer.

Salford manager Robinson is well aware of the talent he has in his squad in the form of Wright. Speaking after he scored both goals in a 2-2 draw with FC United of Manchester, he sang his praises.

“He’s top,” he said. “He’s a local lad and one we are incredibly proud of, and he showed all of his qualities today… He’s certainly a goal scorer, no doubt about that, we see it every day.”

Wright, meanwhile, has been revelling in the opportunity to play regularly up front in pre-season. “I feel great, I’m ready. For all of us, it’s a fantastic opportunity,” he said recently. “Just to be even playing games, let alone training with the first team.

“Getting the opportunity and gaining the experience and taking things back to the B team and academy where we can influence them and hopefully bring more and more up, hopefully bring more people through and get more debuts.”

Wright is likely to go into the Arsenal under-21s if he does join the north London side. The Preston-born forward is currently in the second year of his scholarship with Salford, having been spotted playing for local sides Euxton Villa and Fylde just two years ago.

The transfer fee will come as a boost to Salford, who have been stuck in League Two since their promotion from the National League in 2019. Despite the fortunes invested by the Class of 92, they have only made the play-offs once with a number of managers coming and going during that period.

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