Liverpool remain in talks with Salford City over a move for 17-year-old striker Will Wright
Salford City striker Will Wright is interviewed after a pre-season game
Salford City striker Will Wright is interviewed after a pre-season game
(Image: Salford City)
Liverpool remain in talks with Salford City over a move for striker Will Wright. The Reds are currently stepping up attempts to bolster their striker options, with Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak emerging as a leading candidate, but they are also looking to strengthen at academy level.
And 17-year-old wonderkid Wright is very much on their radar with discussions ongoing with Salford, who are co-owned by Manchester United legends Gary Neville and David Beckham after they bought out their fellow ‘Class of ‘92’ former Red Devils team-mates.
Nothing has been agreed between the two clubs yet. But although a possible £300,000 fee has been mooted in some sections, the ECHO understands that any deal for Wright would cost less than such a figure.
However, Liverpool are not the only club interested in signing the 6ft 3in teenager.
Arsenal, Brentford, Leicester City and Burnley have also monitored Wright while the Daily Mailreported earlier this summer that Manchester City were set to rival the Reds for the youngster's signature.
Wright is now going into the second year of his scholarship with Salford after being spotted playing for local sides Euxton Villa and Fylde only two years ago.
He scored more than 50 goals at all levels for the League Two outfit last season and came on against Pep Guardiola's Man City side in the FA Cup at the Etihad in January.
Wright ended up making four first-team appearances for Salford, who are managed by former Liverpool academy coach Karl Robinson, last season, and was included in their matchday squad on 11 occasions.
Meanwhile, he has scored three times for the club’s first team so far during pre-season.
Speaking after netting a brace against FC United, Wright shared his gratitude at being granted first-team opportunities.
“I feel great, I’m ready. For all of us, it’s a fantastic opportunity,” he said. “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.”