Arsenal hijack Liverpool transfer for Gary Neville and David Beckham’s star EFL asset
Share this @internewscast.com

Arsenal have beaten Liverpool to the signing of Salford City starlet Will Wright, talkSPORT understands.

The 17-year-old striker will move to north London for a fee in excess of £200,000 with add-ons.

Arsenal look to have won the race to sign Wright from Salford

3

Arsenal look to have won the race to sign Wright from SalfordCredit: SALFORD CITY FC

Wright looked to be bound for Liverpool, but the Premier League champions pulled out after Arsenal stepped up their pursuit.

The capture of the forward has been partly driven by academy manager Per Mertesacker’s project to recruit elite young talent.

The ex-Gunners defender has his own dedicated budget to strengthen the club’s youth set-up.

Wright made his senior debut for Salford City against Pep Guardiola’s side in the 8-0 FA Cup defeat in January.

The forward only played a few minutes of the Etihad drubbing, but his inclusion underlined the Class of ’92 hierarchy’s faith in him.

David Beckham and Neville are now set to lose Wright in their first summer since becoming the sole co-owners of the club in May.

Wright, who scored over 50 goals at all levels for Salford last season, is one of the youngest players ever to debut for the League Two side.

He is in the second year of his scholarship, having been spotted playing for local sides Euxton Villa and Fylde only two years ago.

Since making his debut earlier this year, the 6ft 3in teenager also featured in League Two matches against Port Vale and Bradford.

Wright has continued to catch the eye in pre-season, scoring four goals in three friendly appearances for Salford this month already.

David Beckham (R) and Gary Neville had big plans for Wright at Salford

3

David Beckham (R) and Gary Neville had big plans for Wright at SalfordCredit: Getty

Manchester City, Brentford and Burnley have also been reported to have been monitoring his situation, but Arsenal now won the race.

Wright is unlikely to be ushered straight into Mikel Arteta’s first team, with time in an elite academy targeted to aid his development.

Instead, he is expected to split his football between Arsenal’s U-18s and U-21s next season.

Wright will also be eligible to play in the UEFA Youth League for the Gunners next season, as teams field U-19 teams.

His Salford exit will come as a huge blow to Neville and Beckham’s plans for the club, having released 17 players at the end of the season.

Previously, the pair owned a ten percent stake in the club, joining forces with their former Manchester United colleagues Ryan Giggs, Phil Neville, Paul Scholes, and Nicky Butt.

Mertesacker is Arsenal's Academy manager

3

Mertesacker is Arsenal’s Academy managerCredit: Getty

Beckham was the last Class of ’92 star to buy a stake in the club, doing so in 2019 – five years after his pals clubbed together to buy the club.

After the former majority stakeholder, Peter Lim, announced his exit in 2024, Beckham and Gary Neville stepped up to take charge, as their former teammates ceded their shares.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Premier League Unveils New TV Schedule: Liverpool, Chelsea, and Spurs to Feature in Three 8pm Saturday Matches in Permanent New Time Slot

Saturday November 1 – all matches commence at 3pm unless noted otherwise…

Pep Guardiola Shows Affection to Fourth Official with Cheek Kiss After Being Scolded

Pep Guardiola eased the tension on the sidelines during the 1-1 standoff…

Why Florian Wirtz Hasn’t Justified His £116 Million Valuation Yet and the Intense Training Strategy Liverpool Is Implementing to Maximize His Potential

There are countless perspectives we could use to rave about Liverpool’s £116…

Leaked: England’s Home and Away Kits for the 2026 World Cup

The anticipated kits for England’s national team at the 2026 World Cup…

Set Aside Lofty Aspirations – Celtic’s True Place is the Europa League

The grandeur of Munich’s Allianz Arena, illuminated like a futuristic marvel, will…

The Wit and Wisdom of Dickie Bird: Shane Warne’s ‘Ball of the Century’, Tokens from Fierce Australian Bowlers… and His Lifelong Commitment to Cricket

Renowned umpire Dickie Bird has died at the age of 92. To…

Ange Postecoglou Sets Sights on Europa League Glory with Nottingham Forest

Just four months after leading Tottenham Hotspur to a historic Europa League…

Russell Martin Acknowledges His Unwell Appearance After Game, Reflects on the Club’s Intensity

When Russell Martin exited the Ibrox press conference room last Saturday, many…

How Spurs’ New Leadership Could Achieve a Major Success by Luring Harry Kane Back – Strategies for Enticing His Return, Explains MATT BARLOW

The attraction for Tottenham’s new regime is perfectly clear. Bringing home Harry…

Jose Mourinho’s Benfica Contract Contains Unique Exit Clause Potentially Leading to His Dismissal Within a Year!

The terms of Jose Mourinho’s two-year deal with Benfica have surfaced, including…