Liverpool have learned that they must pay in excess of £70m if they wish to sign winger Yankuba Minteh from Premier League rivals Brighton & Hove Albion, according to reports from both the Liverpool Echo and The Athletic. The Merseyside club saw a second transfer offer, believed to be in the region of £60m, knocked back by the south-coast side as negotiations continue ahead of the transfer window’s close.
Brighton Stand Firm After Second Bid Rejected
The pursuit of the Gambia international intensified after Brighton rejected an initial approach worth £50million before turning down Liverpool’s improved £60m bid. According to sources cited by The Athletic, Brighton’s valuation sits closer to the £70m mark, and the club remains steadfast in its refusal to sell one of its prized assets at a cut-rate price.
Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler addressed the ongoing speculation surrounding his squad’s key contributors on Friday. “We know in general all the players there are rumours about, they are important players for us because they’re a big part of the journey the last two years,” Hurzeler said, as reported by the Liverpool Echo. “In football, you have to understand, it’s normal if you’re successful as a team… then an individual can shine. Then of course there will be a big ask for our players, that’s part of our identity and part of my job here.”
Addressing the Attacking Void on Merseyside
Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola reiterated the urgent need for further reinforcements in the final third during his press conference on Friday. The Reds are working to fill the significant vacancy on the right wing left by the departure of Mohamed Salah, who exited the club on a free transfer during the summer.
The club’s recruitment team has explored several targets across Europe. Liverpool previously considered a multi-million-pound move for Ivory Coast international Yan Diomande before he ultimately transferred from RB Leipzig to Real Madrid in a deal exceeding £100m, per the Liverpool Echo. The club has also maintained a strong interest in Paris Saint-Germain’s Bradley Barcola, though valuation gaps remain wide with PSG holding out for a much higher fee. Consequently, the pursuit of Minteh has lowered the likelihood of Liverpool following up on exploratory interest in PSG teenager Ibrahim Mbaye.
Injury Status and Tactical Profile
Any potential deal will have to factor in Minteh’s current medical recovery. The 22-year-old winger is recovering from surgery on a right leg injury sustained during a 3-0 pre-season friendly victory over Roma earlier in August. Medical evaluations indicate the issue will sideline him for between two and three months.
Tactically, Minteh offers a profile that closely matches the explosive wide play Liverpool lost with Salah. Operating primarily from the right flank as a left-footed winger, the former Newcastle United player combines high-intensity sprinting with direct running at defenders. Data from the previous Premier League campaign highlights his ball-carrying output: Minteh ranked fourth across the league with 142 attempted dribbles at a 45.8 per cent success rate. His pressing capabilities also align with Iraola’s tactical preferences, having played an integral role in Brighton’s league-leading metrics for final-third regains last term.
Next Fixture and Immediate Schedule
As transfer discussions continue behind the scenes, Liverpool turn their focus to the pitch. The Reds, who finished fifth in the Premier League last season, open their 2026-27 domestic campaign on Sunday with a high-profile fixture away at St James’ Park against Newcastle United.
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