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Liverpool looks to have secured one of the brightest young talents going in Will Wright, with the striker having already had a taste of what it will take to make it with the Premier League champion.
The Reds have managed to steal the 17-year-old Salford City forward away from Arsenal after it seemed as though the Gunners would complete a deal for him.
Liverpool had initially cooled its interest earlier this month, but has now returned for a deal understood to be worth an initial $266,000, with Wright now set to undergo a medical ahead of completing his move to Merseyside.
Despite Arsenal’s interest, Wright preferred to remain in the north-west of the UK, and was impressed by Liverpool’s pitch to him.
The teenager will become part of Liverpool’s U21s team when he completes his move, with former Wales manager Rob Page having taken over the reins following Barry Lewtas’ departure earlier in the summer.
Wright will arrive on Merseyside with a growing reputation, having looked to have been set for a bigger role at Salford in the new season.
He made three first-team appearances for the League Two side last season, including a cameo against Manchester City in the FA Cup.
Although that game didn’t go according to plan for Salford - they lost 8-0 at the Etihad that day - Wright’s appearance was an indicator of just how highly he has been rated.
“He’s top,” Salford boss Karl Robinson said after Wright scored in a pre-season friendly8 against FC United of Manchester earlier this month.
“He’s a local lad and one we are incredibly proud of, and he showed all of his qualities today.
“I don’t want to say too much about Will, he’s still incredibly young and he’s got so much to learn, but he’s certainly a goalscorer, no doubt about that, we see it every single day.
“That’s why we brought him on against City away last year, because we see so much potential in him.”
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Pep Guardiola may have also seen that potential, with City having been linked with a move for Wright before Liverpool and Arsenal took the lead for his signature.
Although the Gunners are said to have offered more money, Wright’s desire to stay local and the attraction of the project at Anfield drew him toward Liverpool, leading to Salford accepting the lower bid.
Wright will now aim to continue his progression with the Reds’ academy, and demonstrate that potential which saw him get his opportunity at the Etihad last season.
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