Liverpool beat Arsenal to sign 17-year-old striker – medical underway – Liverpool FC

Liverpool are set to sign Salford City striker Will Wright despite Arsenal having previously agreed a deal, with the teenager now undergoing a medical.

Wright has been the subject of interest from a number of Premier League clubs after a breakthrough campaign at Salford City which saw him feature against Man City in the FA Cup.

Liverpool had previously distanced themselves from claims of a pursuit of the 17-year-old, who appeared set for a move to Arsenal instead.

However, The Athletic‘s David Ornstein and James Pearce are among those to report that a deal is now agreed with Salford City with the youngster’s medical ongoing.

The transfer will be worth the same Arsenal as had shaken hands on with a deal worth £200,000 plus add-ons.

Wright rejected the chance to join the Premier League runners-up though – instead agreeing personal terms with the champions.

The striker understandably favours staying in the northwest over relocating to London, and the lure of joining Liverpool will have been hugely influential.

While Wright has been part of Salford City’s first-team setup the plan is for him to join the academy and take up a role in Rob Page’s U21s initially.

But as with recent high-profile youth signings such as Trey Nyoni, Rio Ngumoha and Amara Nallo, he will join with the intention of swiftly progressing through the ranks and possibly with exposure to senior training.

Liverpool have been lacking in No. 9s in the U21s ranks after the rise of both Jayden Danns and Lewis Koumas to the fringes of the first team.

Koumas is expected to leave on loan again this summer while Danns, who missed the pre-season tour of Asia to focus on his fitness, could also head out on a temporary basis unless Arne Slot decides to keep him.

Kaide Gordon and Oakley Cannonier are both available to Page at present but are likely to move on this summer, leaving Wright as first choice with the likes of Keyrol Figueroa and Kareem Ahmed as competition.

Wright was given his Salford City debut last season when, at just 16, he came off the bench in a 3-2 win over Wolves in the EFL Trophy.

He went on to make two further appearances in League Two and a cameo in the Greater Manchester side’s 8-0 thrashing at the hands of Man City in the FA Cup.