New club enters bidding for Liverpool midfielder who looks set to be sold | OneFootball

Liverpool are set for another busy summer.

Following on from last year’s £450m spending spree sporting director Richard Hughes is once again expected to put several deals in place.

There will be consequences for the players already on the club’ books and one who is not expected to make the cut for next season is Luca Stephenson.

The 22-year-old has spent the last two seasons out on loan at Dundee United in Scotland. He has impressed all-comers for the Tangerines - even captaining the side on one occasion last term.

Stephenson - who came through the Liverpool academy after joining from Sunderland - saw his season curtailed through injury.

He should be fit for preseason and given the number of first-team stars at the FIFA World Cup he may even join in with Andoni Iraola’s initial sessions should he still find himself at the club.

Blackburn Rovers join race for Luca Stephenson

Last year Stephenson benefitted from being brought on tour by Arne Slot - inking a new contract before heading back on loan to Dundee United.

Now however the time has come for the midfielder-cum-right-back to find a permanent home and a breakthrough looks increasingly unlikely at Anfield.

Liverpool were linked with bringing Stephenson back to the club in January when they were struggling at right-back as well as in midfield. But Arne Slot opted against a return deal with Stephenson staying put.

Bolton Wanderers have since been credited as leaders in the race to sign Stephenson for a fee of only £700k - a bargain for a player of his quality.

Stephenson will be sold for a bargain fee

A new report in the Bolton News claims the Trotters are set to be rivalled in their interest by another Championship side in the shape of Blackburn Rovers.

“It has been claimed by various sources that a £700,000 bid for Stephenson has already been accepted by the Reds, and by others that Blackburn Rovers are also vying for the 22-year-old’s signature, with a £1million price put on the deal,” the report reads.

£1m still represents ridiculous value for a player like Stephenson. Dundee United fans were impressed with his technical ability and workrate and it’s a shame he won’t get a chance at Anfield.

Given his versatility and homegrown status surely there could have been a place for him under Andoni Iraola but he now has the chance to go on and become a regular at Championship level.