Tyreik Wright joined Walsall on loan from Aston Villa in January and has enjoyed a bright start to life at Banks’ Stadium, supplying two assists in two games.
Indeed, the 19-year-old has performed so well with the Saddlers that he has already caught the attention of suitors. The Daily Mail reported that Celtic and Everton are interested in the teenager and may be able to land his signature for cheap as his contract is up this summer. The Republic of Ireland under-19 international is yet to put pen to paper on a contract extension, so he might be on his way out of Villa in the coming months.
Described as a “direct and speedy left-footed right winger” by the Daily Mail‘s Adrian Kajumba, Wright joined Villa from Lakewood in 2018 and has risen through the youth ranks to the fringes of the first team. He made 17 appearances for the under-18s, scoring five goals and providing two assists, and has a record of five goals with six assists in 35 games for the under-23s (Transfermarkt).
The 19-year-old has Jack Grealish, Bertrand Traore, Anwar El Ghazi and Trezeguet for competition in the Aston Villa first team, but he has partaken in training with the seniors, so he has caught the eye of Smith in the past. He has also been hailed by Darrel Clarke, his manager at Walsall, who lauded the prodigy’s “great ability” and “match winning qualities” (Daily Mail).
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Villa risk losing Wright unless they can tie him down to a new deal, but might Celtic and Everton’s interest turn his head?
He seems a very talented player whose loan move is having the desired effect, so Villa would surely be disappointed to lose him and must act quickly if they are not to see him leave the Midlands for good.
