Liverpool Consider Renewing Talks With Brighton Over Yankuba Minteh Transfer

Liverpool tried to sign a number of different options on the right wing, particularly during the summer transfer window. This ranged from early approaches for Yan Diomande, who eventually moved to Spanish giants Real Madrid, to a late bid for Crystal Palace forward Ismaila Sarr. 

But one name that seemed to have been the closest to happening but never got over the line was a deal for Brighton winger Yankuba Minteh.

The Yankuba Minteh Saga

Liverpool were scrambling around in the final weeks of the transfer window, trying to find a second winger to come in alongside long-term target Bradley Barcola. This was due to consistent speculation surrounding the future of Cody Gakpo.

If the club found a right-wing option and brought them in, they were likely to sanction the sale of Cody Gakpo, who had interest from Tottenham and Manchester City. One of the players they had identified as a possible replacement for Gakpo was Yankuba Minteh.

The Gambian international moved to Brighton in the summer of 2024 from Newcastle for around £30 million. In his debut campaign down on the south coast, Minteh got seven goals and five assists, a solid return for his first season of Premier League football. 

Many expected him to kick on in his second season and improve on the cutting edge in the final third that was lacking in season one. Season two wouldn't play out that way, though, and he recorded a worse statistical season compared to the last, scoring just three goals and 4 assists in 36 games. 

He was a frustrating player at times, as he had all the build-up ability and would do the hard work to get into good attacking positions, but when it came to executing those chances, more often than not, he wouldn't convert them. 

But he had a very unique skill set that made Liverpool take notice. While his on-the-ball end product may leave a little to be desired, his off-the-ball work rate was outstanding and would have fit perfectly into Andoni Iraola's high pressing and intense style of football. 

There were two problems with any potential transfer to Anfield. Firstly, Brighton were reluctant to sell Minteh, given how late it was in the window when the Reds approached with a £50 million bid, with the Seagulls only willing to sell for around £70 million.

Secondly, Minteh was and currently is injured, so LFC would be taking a risk signing a player who is unlikely to be able to train until November.

But if recent reports are to be believed, Iraola has not ended his interest in the player, and a move for Minteh in the months to come hasn't been ruled out.

What Has Been Reported?

According to Foday Manneh, a Gambian journalist who broke a number of key updates on Minteh's collapsed summer move to Liverpool, Yankuba Minteh to Merseyside is still an option in the January window, but it will depend on a couple of key factors.

One of those is that a fee that the Reds deem Minteh to be worth would need to be agreed upon with Brighton. But more importantly, the Gambia winger would need to prove his fitness when he returns from his current injury. 

Comment Below: Should LFC Go Back In For Yankuba Minteh In January?