Bolton Wanderers to battle with Rangers & Celtic for Liverpool transfer - 6-figure swoop touted | OneFootball

Bolton Wanderers are weighing up a move for Luca Stephenson, who is currently on loan with Dundee United from Liverpool

Bolton Wanderers are already drawing up plans for the summer transfer window amid their efforts to win promotion from League One to the Championship.

Steven Schumacher's men drew 3-3 with Huddersfield Town last Saturday, leaving them third in the League One table with just two games remaining.

If Wanderers avoid defeat at fellow promotion chasers Bradford City this Saturday, it will guarantee their top-six finish with a game to spare.

Bolton showed their class on 14 April when they hammered sixth-place Stevenage 5-1, and will be delighted if they can produce another statement win against the Bantams next time out.

Bolton Wanderers eye move for Liverpool outcast Luca Stephenson

If Wanderers secure promotion to the Championship, they will have to utilise the summer transfer window to build a squad that is capable of surviving in the second tier.

Should the Greater Manchester fail to claim play-off glory, they will instead be tasked with strengthening their ranks to ensure that they win promotion next season.

Schumacher's men can give themselves plenty of confidence by beating Bradford in West Yorkshire this Saturday, as their clash with the Bantams may even prove to be a dress rehearsal for the play-off final.

And as reported by the Scottish outlet The Courier, Bolton are interested in signing Liverpool starlet Luca Stephenson, who is currently on loan with top-flight outfit Dundee United.

The 22-year-old has operated as both a midfielder and a wing-back for Jim Goodwin's men this season, notching five goals and five assists in 29 Scottish Premiership appearances.

Courtesy of a hamstring injury, Stephenson has not made an appearance since United's 2-2 draw with title hopefuls Rangers on 4 April.

The current campaign marks the versatile youngster's second consecutive season on loan with Goodwin's side, while he earned EFL experience while on loan with League Two outfit Barrow in the 2023/24 season.

According to The Courier, Stephenson's permanent services are likely to cost a sizeable six-figure sum, which rules Dundee United out of the race, but Bolton could be able to afford him amid interest from other EFL clubs.

Acquiring players who formerly plied their trade on loan with the Tannadice outfit has already proved fruitful for Wanderers, as striker Sam Dalby has scored 11 League One goals for Schumacher's men this season.

Bolton Wanderers can bolster Luca Stephenson transfer hopes by clinching Championship promotion

Stephenson's eye-catching performances for Dundee United in the Scottish Premiership prove that he would be a real asset for Bolton in either the Championship or League One.

However, the former Barrow loan star may only be keen on joining Wanderers if they successfully clinch promotion to the second tier, especially given the fact he had attracted admirers elsewhere.

According to Football Insider, Stephenson has attracted interest from both Celtic and Rangers in recent times, given his impressive performances in Scotland's top flight.

And to give themselves a chance of beating either Old Firm giant to the 22-year-old's signature, Schumacher's side may very well have to win promotion to the Championship.

One key advantage that Bolton boast in the transfer race for Stephenson is that the Greater Manchester town isn't far from Liverpool, so location could potentially end up playing a factor when it comes to his future.