Report: Liverpool beat Arsenal to land promising Salford City striker | OneFootball

Liverpool Hijack Arsenal Move for Will Wright – What It Means for the Reds’ Future

Liverpool have pulled off a clever coup in the transfer market, beating Arsenal to the signing of promising young striker Will Wright from Salford City. As reported by David Ornstein and James Pearce of The Athletic, the 17-year-old had been expected to join the Gunners after a fee of around £200k plus add-ons was agreed. However, the Reds swooped in to secure personal terms and convince both Salford and the player that Anfield was the right destination.

Wright Chooses North West over North London

The key to the move? Geography and ambition. While Arsenal had a deal in place with Salford, they hadn’t finalised personal terms. That opened the door for Liverpool, who moved quickly to wrap up negotiations with both the club and the player. According to the report, “Wright favoured staying in the North West,” a preference that likely stems from proximity to family and familiarity with the region.

Wright’s development to date has taken an unconventional route. “Until now, Wright’s football education has largely taken place outside of the academy system,” the article states. This makes his progression even more impressive, with Liverpool viewing his move to an elite environment as the natural next step.

A Glimpse of the Future

Wright has already shown signs of real promise. Not only has he been a prolific scorer for Salford’s B team, but he also made his senior debut against none other than Manchester City in January. He went on to make two League Two appearances before the end of the 2024/25 campaign.

Such experience at a young age bodes well for his adaptation to the demands of a Premier League academy. Liverpool’s plan is for Wright to link up with Rob Page’s under-21 side initially, giving him a strong platform to continue his development under elite coaching.

Rob Page’s Role in Wright’s Next Chapter

Having recently taken charge of Liverpool’s U21s, former Wales manager Rob Page is expected to play a key role in nurturing Wright’s talent. Page’s experience at international level and reputation for working with young players make him well suited to the task. Wright’s integration into the U21 setup offers him an exciting opportunity to grow within a winning culture.

Photo: IMAGO

This move reflects a broader strategy under Arne Slot and Liverpool’s sporting leadership to identify and secure high-upside talent before their value skyrockets. Wright fits the mould of a modern Liverpool signing—raw, hungry, and ready to step into a demanding environment.

Our View – Anfield Index Analysis

From a Liverpool fan’s perspective, this deal makes a lot of sense. Will Wright may not be a household name yet, but the club’s willingness to invest in his future signals belief in his long-term potential. It’s the kind of quiet recruitment Liverpool have built their success on—finding undervalued assets and developing them in-house.

The fact that Arsenal were in for him should raise eyebrows in a good way. When a rival club with a strong youth setup targets a player, it’s generally a sign of quality. The Reds stealing in at the last minute shows our recruitment team are still alert and aggressive when it comes to youth acquisitions.

What stands out most is that Wright wasn’t part of a traditional academy structure. That suggests he brings a different edge to his game—possibly more streetwise, more instinctive. There’s something appealing about players who’ve had to scrap their way into professional football, and fans will hope that hunger translates well at Kirkby.

Of course, no one should expect him to break into the first team tomorrow. But with Rob Page overseeing his development, and given Liverpool’s track record with academy graduates like Jarell Quansah and Conor Bradley, Wright has landed in a system that nurtures talent the right way.

If this signing is anything like what we’ve seen in recent years, Liverpool supporters can be quietly optimistic that Will Wright might just be another hidden gem on the road to Anfield glory.