Following two unsuccessful bids from Liverpool for Yankuba Minteh, the Reds have reportedly decided to walk away from the deal and are set to turn their attentions to different options as their hunt for a right winger continues.
Are LFC Right To Walk Away From The Yankuba Minteh Deal, Given The Asking Price?
It had been expected that Liverpool were putting together a third and final bid for Brighton's Yankuba Minteh, with the Reds seemingly prioritising a move for the Gambian international.
This was the latest edition to the LFC attacking reinforcement saga this summer, after the club have had unsuccessful pursuits of Yan Diomande, Endrick and Ibrahim Mbaye, and have so far been unable to seal a deal for their top transfer target this summer, Bradley Barcola.
However, there has been another twist to this roller coaster of a transfer market for Liverpool, as reports have came out tonight that have suggested that a move for Yankuba Minteh is no longer on the cards.
Why Did Liverpool Want Minteh In The First Place?
Yankuba Minteh is equipped with a certain set of attributes that may have made him a perfect fit for Andoni Iraola's system. One of the main reasons for that is his pace and high work rate, two thing that were desperately missing in the LFC squad last season and two thing that Iraola sees as essential for his teams to work properly.
Additionally, despite how good a player Liverpool's top target Bradley Barcola is, Yankuba Minteh would have brought with him something that Barcola does not have, Premier League experience.
Vincent Carchietta-Imagn ImagesMinteh has been at Brighton for two years and made 73 appearances in all competitions for the Seagulls, and while he has not set the Premier League alight during his two years so far on the South Coast, he has adapted to the physical demands of the Premier League.
And with Liverpool already having inexperienced players in their side in Victor Munoz and Rio Ngumoha, and Cody Gakpo continuing to be linked with a move away, the club identified Minteh as a player that was Premier League proven and ready to make the step up in his career, but now there seems to be a change of plan.
What Has Been Reported?
Tonight it has been reported by Fabrizio Romano that the Reds negotiations with Brighton have gone cold and that they have not advanced at all in the last 24 hours. He goes on to say, that Liverpool are now exploring alternative options for the right wing position, with it appearing as though LFC are moving on from Yankuba Minteh
This has also been followed up by Ben Jacobs and Alex Crook who have said that Brighton have insisted that the price need to secure the signature of Yankuba Minteh is £80 million, a number that Liverpool are simple unwilling to pay for the player. Therefore it is not expected that Liverpool submit a 3rd bid unless that number drops, with their last bid of £60 million seen as a good offer by LFC.
Where Do The Reds Go From Here?
As stated by Fabrizio Romano, Liverpool have other options for the right wing, however what is not clear is who those options are. The likes of Ibrahim Mbaye is a player that is yet to agree a deal anywhere else and is still set to depart PSG this summer, but perhaps LFC have another, more unknown option, on their radar.
Vincent Carchietta-Imagn ImagesWhatever the clubs next move is, they need to move on from this setback quickly, as time is ticking and the later we approach clubs for their players, the less likely it is they are going to be willing sellers.
