Salford City wonderkid chased by City and Liverpool

Salford City wonderkid Will Wright has ignited a tug-of-war between Manchester City and Liverpool, with both Premier League powerhouses prepared to test the resolve of the League Two outfit co-owned by David Beckham and Gary Neville.

Why Salford City wonderkid Is Turning Heads

The 17-year-old striker has spent the past 12 months breaking age-group records in Salford’s academy, scoring 28 goals in 30 appearances across U18 and U21 competitions. Possessing a wiry 6ft 1in frame, blistering acceleration and the composure of a seasoned poacher, Wright has already been fast-tracked into first-team training by boss Neil Wood. Coaches at Moor Lane rave about his knack for attacking space on the shoulder of centre-backs and his ability to finish with either foot. Technical scouts from up and down the pyramid have flocked to watch him, and sources at Carrington suggest more than a dozen Premier League clubs have filed data-tracking reports since January.

City vs Liverpool: The Transfer Battle

Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City have adopted an aggressive policy of locking down elite domestic talent before rivals can react. After securing teenagers like Oscar Bobb and Shea Charles, they view Wright as the next low-risk, high-ceiling prospect. City’s recruitment department values him in the £2-3 million range—pocket change for the champions but a potentially record-breaking sale for Salford.

Liverpool, meanwhile, are reshaping their forward line for the post-Mohamed Salah era. New sporting director Richard Hughes is keen to complement academy graduate Jayden Danns with another young No.9. Jurgen Klopp’s pending successor is understood to have personally approved the scouting dossier on Wright, describing the teenager as “Robbie Fowler with modern pressing habits.” The Reds could offer an immediate pathway through domestic cup games, something City traditionally struggle to promise.

Where Do Beckham and Neville Stand?

Selling to either Manchester City or Liverpool places Salford’s “Class of ’92” owners in an awkward spot. Beckham, Neville, Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes famously forged their reputations at Manchester United, and portions of the Old Trafford fanbase might balk at the idea of helping their fiercest rivals land a gem. Yet the board’s mandate since buying Salford has been sustainability through smart trading. Beckham reportedly believes that signing sentimental cheques is less important than turning Salford into the Brentford of the lower leagues—develop, sell high, reinvest. Neville, now a Sky Sports pundit, has publicly stated he will not let rivalry cloud sound business practice: “If the bid is right for the football club and the player’s development, we’ll do it.”

What Salford Could Gain

A multi-million-pound deal for Wright would eclipse the club’s current record sale of Brandon Thomas-Asante to West Bromwich Albion. The influx of cash could accelerate stadium improvements, expand the scouting network and allow the Ammies to chase automatic promotion rather than rely on play-offs. Just as importantly, inserting a hefty sell-on clause—20% has been mooted—could secure future windfalls if Wright blossoms into a global name. Sources close to the negotiations insist Salford want academy-player loan guarantees written into any agreement, ensuring that promising City or Liverpool youngsters gain competitive minutes at the Peninsula Stadium in return.

How Wright Fits at City

Guardiola’s side often deploy a lone striker who can drop between the lines. While Erling Haaland dominates now, City’s back-room analysts are keen to stockpile alternatives with different profiles. Wright’s diagonal runs mirror those of a young Jamie Vardy, offering a direct threat behind high defensive lines that City sometimes face when opponents overcommit to blocking midfield space. In-house metrics rate his expected goals (xG) per 90 above any academy forward in the North-West.

How Wright Fits at Liverpool

Liverpool’s philosophy revolves around relentless pressing and vertical attacks. Wright’s work ethic off the ball fits that template. He recorded 36 high-intensity presses per 90 minutes in the FA Youth Cup—numbers that drew applause from Anfield’s data department. In a post-Firmino era where Cody Gakpo has transitioned into midfield zones, Wright profiles as a classic penalty-box finisher who can also harry defenders into rushed clearances.

The Bigger Picture for English Talent

The pursuit of Salford City wonderkid has wider ramifications for youth development. It demonstrates that top clubs will scour League Two and even non-league academies for value, challenging Championship sides who once enjoyed first refusal on emerging prospects. The Premier League’s Elite Player Performance Plan (EPPP) was designed to streamline upward mobility, and Wright could become its latest showcase. His move would mirror that of Jude Bellingham leaving Birmingham for Dortmund—proof that bold pathways pay dividends.

Opinion: A Calculated Gamble

For Salford, sanctioning a sale to historic enemies may sting romantically, yet pragmatism should prevail. Wright is unlikely to spend his peak years in League Two, and banking a transformative fee now safeguards the club’s medium-term future. For City or Liverpool, the outlay represents little financial risk relative to their budgets. If the teenager fulfills even half his potential, they will have secured a home-grown striker for a decade. If he falls short, resale value to Championship clubs remains high. In modern football economics, everyone stands to win—with perhaps just a few United supporters left to grumble.