13 hours ago
20
Liverpool has agreed a $266k (£200k) transfer deal for the 17-year-old Salford City forward Will Wright. But as the player undergoes a medical, what should Reds fans know about him?
Firstly, Arsenal had also been in for the teenager. The Gunners had also agreed a deal with Salford, but the player preferred to move to Merseyside instead, rather than leaving the North West.
Wright was impressed by the pitch that Liverpool put forward. He will join up with the Reds' U21s side this season, working under the former Wales manager Rob Page, who has taken over from Barry Lewtas.
At youth level, Wright has been prolific. The Preston-born striker has spent much of his career to date outside of the academy system, but believes that this is the right time to take the next step in his progression.
Last season, he played against Manchester City in the FA Cup and then made two more appearances at senior level in League Two. Prior to that, he had been on the bench.
"It was amazing," Wright said after playing in the Bristol Street Motors Trophy against Wolverhampton Wanderers' U21s in November 2024.
"It’s been a crazy few weeks going back to the Youth Cup, then now making my debut along with the other few lads and taking the transition into a first-team environment. It’s crazy, I was just saying how I’ve got so much adrenaline."
In addition to Arsenal, Brentford, Leicester City and Burnley have all kept tabs on Wright. Manchester City kept an eye on him too, though it never formalized that interest with a move.
In all competitions and in all age groups, Wright scored more than 50 goals for Salford last season. Earlier this summer, he netted a brace against FC United of Manchester in pre-season.
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
"I feel great, I'm ready," he said after that game. " For all of us, it's a fantastic opportunity. 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."
Liverpool.com says: The Reds have a real pathway at Anfield these days, with Rio Ngumoha and Trey Nyoni showing that in pre-season under Arne Slot at the moment.
If you are good enough, the chances are there to progress. It will be interesting to see how Wright adapts to playing U21s soccer for Liverpool, but he appears to be one to watch.
English (US) ·