**The Athletic has reported on Liverpool’s ongoing business and the changes expected over the next couple of months, with interest in Bradley Barcola still strong.**
[The Yan Diomande transfer disappointment](https://live4liverpool.com/why-missing-out-on-yan-diomande-may-be-a-blessing-in-disguise-for-liverpool/) means that Liverpool have had the door to a move to sign Barcola opened, but it will by no means be an easy deal to complete. The need for a Mohamed Salah replacement is the club’s greatest transfer priority, according to the report.
Lucas Stephenson just completed a move to Bolton Wanderers; several more Liverpool players could leave as well, with the Andoni Iraola era set to begin with a fair amount of existing uncertainty at Anfield.
Meanwhile, Richard Hughes is ever likely to leave the club at the end of the 2026 summer transfer window.
**Lucas Stephenson to Bolton Wanderers – 20 per cent sell on clause**
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Stephenson has left Liverpool, which was made official 8 days ago – with the Athletic stating that a £700k move to Bolton also a 20 per cent sell on clause which could yield more returns if the 22-year-old makes a move in the future.
The report reads: “_In terms of transfer business, it was another quiet week for Liverpool. Academy graduate **Lucas Stephenson** completed a £700,000 move to Championship club Bolton Wanderers. Liverpool also negotiated a 20 per cent sell-on clause.”_
What is Liverpool’s transfer approach this summer?
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Liverpool are going to sell players this summer – that much is obvious. While it was unpopular and ill-timed from Arne Slot, he was not wrong when he said Liverpool will have to sell to buy.
Last summer’s £446m summer spend was in part funded by around £250m worth of player sales, but it did not go according to plan with the Reds struggling with grief more than the major influx of top players.
But with Slot being replaced by Andoni Iraola, the picture has changed, but the Spaniard will not get to experiment with a few of the players at the club.
The Athletic reports: _“Buying a replacement for Mohamed Salah remains the priority. Liverpool had a €100million package for RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande turned down before it emerged that the Ivory Coast international prefers a move to European champions PSG if he leaves the Bundesliga club this summer._
_“PSG’s France international Bradley Barcola is admired by Liverpool, while Brighton & Hove Albion’s Yankuba Minteh, Said El Mala of Koln and Lille’s Matias Fernandez-Pardo feature on a list of possible alternatives._
_Liverpool are also considering both midfield and right-sided defensive options in the market.”_
### Which Liverpool players could leave before September 1?
The report continued: _“There’s ongoing uncertainty surrounding the futures of Curtis Jones and Federico Chiesa among others._
_“Liverpool rejected a bid of around €25million for Jones from Inter last month. The Liverpool academy graduate has entered the final year of his current contract._
_“Chiesa, who arrived from Juventus two years ago, has been linked with a return to Italy after struggling for game time last season.”_
_**“Harvey Elliott is one of several players expected to assess his options closer to the new season when it’s clear whether he features in Iraola’s plans.”**_
**Richard Hughes to Al Hilal**
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The bombshell news this week was that not only will Richard Hughes leave Liverpool at the end of 2027 and this will be his last transfer window at the club, he will also join Simon Francis in making the switch to the Saudi Pro League for Al Hilal.
The Athletic reported: _“Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes is expected to join Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal after this summer’s transfer window._
_“Hughes, who is out of contract in 2027, would link up with Simon Francis, who recently left Bournemouth to take over as Al Hilal’s technical director.”_
### Will Richard Hughes’ planned exit disrupt Liverpool’s plans?
According to The Athletic, no. Liverpool will no doubt experience a fair amount of change, but Hughes is still hard at work to provide Iraola with the players needed to compete next season.
The Athletic reports: “_Senior Anfield figures insist it is business as usual with Hughes fully focused on the current window as he looks to ensure that new head coach Andoni Iraola has a squad capable of competing for honours in 2026-27._
_“Regardless of what the future holds for Hughes, the Scotsman remains responsible for negotiating deals and retains the owners’ trust, with recruitment plans unchanged._
_“Spanish winger Victor Munoz, who was signed from Osasuna, has been the only arrival announced this summer, with French defender Jeremy Jacquet also completing his move to Anfield after a £60million deal was agreed in January._
_“There was always an acceptance at Liverpool that getting most of their business done early was unrealistic this time around because of the World Cup and Iraola’s need to assess the talent he’s inherited. Pre-season starts at Kirkby on July 14.”_