Arsenal Pushing to Hijack Liverpool Striker Deal – Report | OneFootball

Arsenal Close In On Liverpool Target Will Wright: Transfer Battle Heats Up

Liverpool’s summer transfer window has already grabbed headlines with the British record-breaking arrival of Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen. But while the focus has been on strengthening Arne Slot’s first-team squad, the Reds have also been quietly working on deals for future stars.

One such player is 17-year-old Will Wright, the highly rated Salford City striker who has drawn attention from top Premier League clubs. However, according to a report from DaveOCKOP, Liverpool now face stiff competition, with Arsenal moving decisively to try to secure the teenager’s signature.

Arsenal’s Rapid Move For Salford Talent

In an exclusive update, DaveOCKOP reveals, “The Gunners have firmed up their interest in the last 72 hours and are close to agreeing a fee with Salford City.” Arsenal’s offer is said to include a deal worth over £500,000 for Salford, which would be a significant boost for the League Two club.

Liverpool had previously been “in the driving seat” for Wright, having made early contact and monitored his progress closely. The striker has scored an impressive 40-plus goals across Salford’s youth and reserve teams and made his senior FA Cup debut against Manchester City at just 16.

His recent form has only heightened interest, with DaveOCKOP noting he has “hit the headlines after scoring 4 times in 3 games” — performances that have clearly pushed Arsenal to accelerate talks.

Liverpool’s Challenge To Respond

Arne Slot’s side now faces a dilemma. Having already spent heavily on marquee signings, Liverpool must decide whether to increase their investment in youth to keep pace with rivals. Manchester City and Leicester City are also monitoring Wright, but it’s Arsenal who have taken the initiative.

DaveOCKOP states, “Liverpool would now need to move fast if they want to bring Will Wright to Anfield this summer.” The urgency is clear: delay any longer and the talented forward could be wearing red and white instead of red next season.

Why Will Wright Stands Out

At just 17, Wright has shown maturity beyond his years. His goal record speaks for itself, but it’s his sharp movement, technical touch, and eye for goal that have drawn comparisons to some of the league’s top young forwards. Salford, owned by Manchester United icons David Beckham and Gary Neville, have nurtured his development carefully, making his potential departure all the more significant.

Arsenal’s interest is a signal of intent from Mikel Arteta, who has a reputation for giving young players first-team opportunities. For Liverpool, known for blending youth with experience, missing out on Wright could be seen as a rare misstep in their recruitment strategy.

Our View – Anfield Index Analysis

From a Liverpool fan’s perspective, this report sparks both frustration and hope. On one hand, it’s disappointing to see Arsenal move ahead in the race for Will Wright. Liverpool were linked early, and fans were already picturing the teenager developing under Arne Slot, who has shown great faith in young talent.

Slot, after delivering the Premier League title in his debut season, has proven he knows how to balance an elite squad with fresh energy. Wright feels like the type of player who could have thrived at Anfield, learning from the likes of Darwin Núñez and Diogo Jota while sharpening his own game.

It’s also worth considering the club’s recent success in developing youth players like Jarell Quansah and Stefan Bajčetić, which makes missing out on Wright sting that bit more. However, it’s not over yet. As DaveOCKOP notes, Liverpool can still act, but they need to move fast. Fans will hope the club steps up and ensures they don’t lose a generational talent to a direct Premier League rival.

There’s excitement about the future at Liverpool under Slot, and adding Wright would feel like another piece of smart planning to secure long-term success. Supporters will be watching the coming days closely, hoping the club’s recruitment team delivers once again.