Liverpool have signed 17-year-old forward Will Wright from Salford City at the expense of Arsenal and “plenty” of other elite sides.
Salford City finished eighth in League Two last season, and Ammies boss Karl Robinson is intent on making a push for the top-six places in the 2025/26 campaign.
So far this summer, the Ammies have made several signings, namely by signing Matty Young on loan from Sunderland for the second successive season.
Young set promotion goals for Salford after signing, but those could be made more difficult now after the Ammies lost 17-year-old prospect Will Wright to Liverpool.
Now, EFL Analysis can lift the lid on how Liverpool feel after winning the race to sign the Salford starlet.
Liverpool FC manager Arne Slot in press conference before facing AC Milan in a Pre-Season Friendly
Photo by Yu Chun Christopher Wong/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images
How Liverpool feel about Will Wright as Salford City lose starlet
EFL Analysis exclusively revealed earlier in the summer transfer window that Burnley wanted Wright and Kyrell Malcolm after plotting a double move for the teenage Salford duo.
In terms of Wright, our Chief Football correspondent Graeme Bailey, outlined in early July that Manchester City, Liverpool, Arsenal and Brentford were tracking the 17-year-old.
Wright made his senior debut in a short cameo against Man City in the 8-0 FA Cup defeat in January, and has now completed his Premier League move, with Arne Slot’s Liverpool winning the race.
After Wright’s switch from Salford to Anfield was announced, Bailey explained: “Liverpool are delighted to get Will Wright.
“They have beaten Arsenal, but plenty of other clubs too. He really did have his pick of clubs.
“Salford really had high hopes for him and had he stayed, he could have been in first-team reckoning this season.
“But, he could not turn down this chance to move to the Premier League.”
Wright scored over 40 goals as a scholar for Salford and now links up with Rob Page’s Liverpool under-21s squad after impressing in pre-season for the Ammies.
A flag before Salford City are set to play Shrewsbury Town in the FA Cup
Photo by James Baylis – AMA/Getty Images
Salford City chief reacts to Liverpool signing Will Wright
After Wright’s move to Liverpool for a “significant” fee was announced, Salford’s Head of Academy, Jamie Russell, lifted the lid on his transfer.
He told Salford’s website: “We are absolutely delighted for Will to complete his move to Liverpool after a very successful season as a first year scholar.
“He has earned this opportunity and we are excited to see how he continues to develop and progress.
“It is clear that we have a pathway here at Salford, and there is a platform for players to come in from grassroots, learn, and perform to fulfil their potential.
“Of course we don’t want to just sell our best players, we want to see them stay here, do well, reach the men’s team and be successful for the Club.
“But, when moves like this happen, it’s also a time to celebrate the player and their achievement, and the success of the work that’s been put into helping their development.”