Liverpool midfielder Luca Stephenson has been given permission to leave the club after eight years at Anfield, with a £700,000 deal now agreed for his sale.
Stephenson joined Liverpool’s academy from Sunderland in 2018 and made steady progress through the ranks before an impressive rise out on loan.
Following a spell with Barrow in League Two, back-to-back seasons at Dundee United attracted widespread interest in a player who has entered the final year of his contract.
The Liverpool Echo‘s Ian Doyle now reports that, following lengthy talks, Stephenson is set to join Bolton in a deal worth around £700,000.
He has been granted permission to undergo a medical with the Championship side and his transfer is expected to be finalised this week.
Liverpool are also understood to have negotiated a sell-on clause.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Monday, August 4, 2025: Liverpool's Luca Stephenson during a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Athletic Bilbao at Anfield. Liverpool won 4-1. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
While there had been hopes of a breakthrough at Liverpool after impressing in both seasons under Arne Slot, a move away was considered more realistic.
Stephenson can now look to establish himself at a new permanent home at Bolton, who were promoted from League One last season via the playoffs.
Coached by former Everton midfielder Steven Schumacher, Bolton have already signed two other players this summer in Scottish attacker David Watson and former Liverpool centre-back Ben Davies.
Davies spent just six months at Liverpool following his emergency signing in February 2021, heading out on loan to Sheffield United the following season and then being sold to Rangers.
HONG KONG - Thursday, July 24, 2025: Liverpool's Luca Stephenson (L) challenges Cody Gakpo during a training session at the Kai Tak Stadium in Hong Kong ahead of the Hong Kong Football Festival 2025 pre-season tournament, on Day Four of the club's Asia Tour. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Speaking to the Courier upon his departure from Dundee United, Stephenson outlined his desire for a “permanent home” after three successive loans.
“I’ve done three years on loan and have developed a lot. So I think the next thing needs to be different,” the 22-year-old explained.
Stephenson added: “I always think back to one thing the academy manager always said at Liverpool: ‘Once you’ve hit 100 senior games, I’ll let you know that you’ve made it’.
“I’ve now made more than 100 – a big landmark for me – and I want to keep playing.”
Stephenson played 34 times in his season at Barrow before 67 appearances at Dundee United – but he failed to make a matchday squad for Liverpool’s first team.