Steven Schumacher speaks to Bolton Wanderers media team / Luca Stephenson 91 during the Preston North End FC v Liverpool FC Pre-Season Friendly match at Deepdale, Preston, England, United Kingdom on 13 July 2025

Bolton Wanderers are in talks to sign Liverpool's Luca StephensonBolton Wanderers YouTube / Imago

Sources: Bolton Wanderers in advanced talks to sign Liverpool's Luca Stephenson

Transfer Correspondent AUTHORITY Former Sky Sports and ESPN FC correspondent who specialises in global recruitment, contract negotiations, and high-velocity transfer breaking news. FOCUS Exclusive reporting, domestic and international transfer markets, and elite-level insights. THE INSIGHT Pete utilises a Global Network of Industry Sources to deliver verified, first-to-market reporting. His “Deep-Lens” analysis connects the dots between boardroom strategy and pitch-level recruitment, providing a level of transfer clarity that goes beyond surface-level rumours.

Published on:

20 Jun 2026, 6:46 pm

Bolton Wanderers are in advanced talks to sign Liverpool youngster Luca Stephenson this summer, sources have told Football Insider.

Steven Schumacher's side, who won promotion back to the Championship in 2025-26, are closing in on the capture of the 22-year-old.

Sources can reveal Liverpool have informed Stephenson that he is free to find a new club ahead of the 2026-27 campaign, with Bolton expected to agree a permanent deal.

The versatile star, capable of playing in defence or midfield, spent the last two seasons on loan at Dundee United, where he notched five goals and five assists in 33 games.

He has yet to make his senior debut for the Reds, and it doesn't appear that he will in the future either, with the versatile gem now bound for the Toughsheet Community Stadium.

Bolton finished the 2025-26 campaign with goalscoring machine Kyle Wootton at centre-back, but even so, they still managed to win promotion via the League One play-offs.

What should fans know about Luca Stephenson?

Stephenson is the definition of a manager's dream, happy to play anywhere on the pitch and always giving it his all on the pitch.

To show an example of his tenacity and determination, during his first season at Dundee United, he played through the pain of a double hernia for four months to help the club secure a top-four finish.

During 2024-25, he was named Player of the Season by both the supporters and the club, and he only continued to shine in his second season at Tannadice Park.

He himself does believe that his future lies at full-back, but it remains to be seen what Bolton have planned for him ahead of the upcoming campaign.

Bolton set to beat Rangers to new signing as new issues emerges for Andrew Cavenagh

Luca Stephenson: Championship club edge Rangers in race to sign departing Liverpool player

Second Liverpool gem set to walk away from Anfield

Stephenson is not the only one leaving Anfield after a rise through the academy ranks. Either way, it is still a surprise to see the talent go.

Defender Carter Pinnington has also departed, joining Championship outlet West Brom, alongside Chelsea's Jimmy-Jay Morgan this summer.

These deals could trigger many other clubs to come knocking for academy stars at Anfield, and Bolton will hope that this is the start of a new partnership.

A good connection with a Premier League club could be the difference between Championship safety and relegation back to League One, and so could Stephenson.

Kyle Wootton