Liverpool had been expected to loan out midfielder James McConnell amid widespread interest, but the 20-year-old is now attracting permanent suitors.
McConnell has not featured for Liverpool throughout pre-season having picked up an injury in the latter stages of the previous campaign.
The 20-year-old is understood to be nearing a return however, and the Mail‘s Lewis Steele reported on X last month that Ipswich, West Brom and Derby were among the clubs hoping to sign him on loan.
But The Athletic‘s Gregg Evans now adds that, while a temporary move has been expected, there is mounting interest in a permanent deal.
That should come as no surprise given McConnell’s potential and the competition for places in Arne Slot‘s midfield – including with the impressive progress made by 18-year-old Trey Nyoni.
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)
No specific clubs are named but the same situation is arising with Luca Stephenson, with Aberdeen among those who could approach Liverpool to negotiate a sale.
Slot is known to be a keen admirer of both McConnell and Stephenson but the depth in his senior midfield ranks cannot be ignored.
While Ryan Gravenberch and Wataru Endo have found themselves filling in at centre-back during pre-season, the head coach also has Florian Wirtz, Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister and Curtis Jones among his options.
A decision is yet to be made on Harvey Elliott‘s future and if he remains he could provide cover for Wirtz in the No. 10 role, while Nyoni is a long-term candidate and Stefan Bajcetic could be in contention when he recovers from hamstring surgery.
It may be a situation that interested clubs look to exploit, though Liverpool should demand a considerable fee for a player of McConnell’s proven talent.
More likely is that the ex-Sunderland youngster instead departs on loan for the season before a final decision is made on whether or not he graduates to Liverpool’s first team on a full-time basis.
There should be no concern over a drop in value given he could gain worthwhile experience if he joined a side either in the Championship or – with interest from Germany too – the Bundesliga.
Stephenson would arguably be the more suitable option to stay with the Liverpool squad this season, given his versatility and, now 21, eligibility as a homegrown player.
Liverpool may not make a decision over the futures of McConnell and Stephenson until later in the transfer window, as is often the case with players in their position.