Bolton and – Liverpool midfielder Luca Stephenson, 22, has drawn interest from Championship rivals Bolton Wanderers and Blackburn Rovers after two loan seasons in Scotland with Dundee United, where he won young player of the year. Liverpool want around £1million including
By the time the Scottish Premiership loan ended, Luca Stephenson had already done the one thing Championship clubs love most: he looked like he belonged at the next level.
The 22-year-old Liverpool midfielder is now ready to make a permanent move away from Anfield. and two familiar Championship rivals are lining up in the same direction. Bolton Wanderers and Blackburn Rovers both want to negotiate for Stephenson after his impressive spell with Dundee United. where he spent the last two seasons on loan and won their young player of the year award.
Liverpool’s stance is clear. The club are looking for around £1million for Stephenson, with add-ons included in that valuation. If Bolton do not match it, the race isn’t over. Blackburn could step in and move for the player instead.
There’s also a sense that Liverpool are trying to manage their plans at both ends of the age spectrum. not just the midfield that Stephenson has represented for two Scottish seasons. Liverpool are poised to confirm Andoni Iraola as their new head coach on a two-year contract. At the same time, the club have managed to convince young prospect Josh Abe that his future lies at Anfield.
Abe, a 16-year-old England youth international, has signed scholarship forms and agreed a pre-contract to sign a professional contract when he turns 17 next year.
But the pull of bigger clubs is never far away, even for Liverpool. While Abe’s pathway looks set, Liverpool’s 16-year-old striker Vincent Joseph could depart, and he is attracting interest from Manchester United and Bundesliga clubs.
Taken together, the next transfer window for Liverpool looks like two parallel battles: Stephenson’s permanent exit hinges on whether Bolton can meet the £1million valuation, while Liverpool’s younger crop is being shaped around who commits immediately and who is tempted elsewhere.
Luca Stephenson Liverpool Bolton Wanderers Blackburn Rovers Dundee United Scottish Premiership Championship transfer Andoni Iraola Josh Abe Vincent Joseph Manchester United Bundesliga £1m add-ons