Arsenal set to complete signing of striker...from Salford | OneFootball

Arsenal have reached an agreement to sign teenage forward Will Wright from Salford City.

The 17-year-old is set to join the Gunners in a deal worth £200,000, with additional performance-based clauses included.

Wright’s arrival aligns with academy chief Per Mertesacker’s ongoing push to bring in top-tier prospects. The club is backing Mertesacker with a dedicated recruitment budget aimed at bolstering the talent pipeline across youth levels.

The young striker had drawn attention from several clubs - including Liverpool - but once Arsenal stepped up their interest, the Premier League champions opted to step aside.

Until now, Wright’s footballing journey has largely taken place outside the traditional academy structure. It’s believed that transitioning into a top-level development setup is the ideal next step for his growth.

After consistently impressing at youth level and in Salford’s B team, Wright made his senior debut in January against Manchester City. He featured twice in League Two before the 2024-25 season concluded.

At Arsenal, Wright is expected to divide his playing time between the club’s U-18 and U-21 squads next term. He’ll also be eligible to compete in the UEFA Youth League, which features players from the U-19 age group.

The youngster will hope to follow in the footsteps of Arsenal legend, and his namesake, Ian Wright, who hit 185 in 288 games for the north London club during the 1990s.