Arsenal hit by shock Liverpool HIJACK in wonderkid transfer

Suraj Radia
Suraj Radia
  • 29 Jul 2025 17:00 BST
  • 4 min read
Mikel Arteta, Arsenal, 2024/25
© IMAGO

Liverpool have hijacked Arsenal’s transfer for a young wonderkid whom the Gunners had a verbal agreement with, according to Fabrizio Romano.

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Arsenal have seen a number of youth prospects join rival teams in recent times, such as Ayden Heaven and Chido Obi, who both came through the club’s academy only to leave for Manchester United.

This time Arsenal have missed out on Salford City talent Will Wright, a 17-year-old striker who featured twice in League Two last season.

The Athletic report that Arsenal had agreed a deal with Salford worth £200,000 plus add-ons but they had not struck personal terms with the teenager, which Liverpool have achieved through a three-year contract.

Wright has now agreed to join Liverpool and is already having a medical on Merseyside after reportedly choosing to stay in the North West of England as opposed to moving to London.

The youngster made his professional debut for Salford against Manchester City in January after being a prolific scorer at youth level and he is believed to be ready to move to an elite environment with a Premier League academy.

Arsenal youth still shining despite Liverpool hijack

Arsenal will be disappointed to miss out on another youngster to add to their crop, having seen the likes of Myles Lewis-Skelly, Ethan Nwaneri and, most recently, Max Dowman, break into the first team this year.

Dowman has impressed during Arsenal’s pre-season tour, with the 15-year-old being touted as one of the greatest talents to ever come out of the club’s academy.

Max Dowman is Arsenal's latest wonderkid.
© IMAGO - Max Dowman is Arsenal's latest wonderkid.

However, Real Madrid are understood to be among the teams looking to sign Dowman, with the youngster still not able to sign professional terms until he turns 18.

Dowman is expected to be a peripheral part of Mikel Arteta’s team next season although he is unable to play in the Premier League until he turns 16 at the end of December.

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