Brighton & Hove Albion have rejected an opening £50 million ($68.1 million) proposal from Liverpool for Gambia international winger Yankuba Minteh. Despite the 22-year-old being currently sidelined following surgery on a right leg injury, Liverpool lodged the formal bid as head coach Andoni Iraola intensifies his search for long-term attacking reinforcements following Mohamed Salah’s departure from Anfield.
Minteh suffered the injury during Brighton’s 3-0 pre-season friendly victory over Roma earlier this month and is projected to miss an additional eight weeks of action, bringing his total layoff to between two and three months. However, sources familiar with the matter indicate that the player is enthusiastic about a potential move to Merseyside if both clubs can come to terms on a transfer fee.
A Calculated Gamble Amid an Injury Layoff
Bidding £50 million for a player who will be unavailable for the first two months of the campaign highlights Liverpool’s strategic focus on long-term squad composition over immediate quick fixes. Minteh, who signed for Brighton from Newcastle United in the summer of 2024 for £30 million ($40 million), is under contract at Falmer Stadium until 2029. Across 66 Premier League appearances for the Seagulls, he has logged nine goals and eight assists, establishing himself as one of the league’s most energetic young wide players.
While Liverpool’s recruitment team has already added Spain international Victor Munoz to its attacking options this window, the club remains intent on adding explosive width. Senior figures at Anfield view Minteh’s present physical setback as a temporary disruption within a multi-year project, recognizing that securing top-tier talent in a tight transfer market often requires early structural commitment.
Tactical Alignment for Andoni Iraola’s System
The interest in Minteh aligns directly with the tactical demands of head coach Andoni Iraola. A left-footed right winger with remarkable acceleration, Minteh possesses a profile that closely mimics the functional role previously occupied by Salah. Last season, Minteh ranked fourth overall in the Premier League for attempted dribbles with 142 (achieving a 45.8 percent success rate), trailing only Jeremy Doku, Antoine Semenyo, and Iliman Ndiaye. By comparison, Cody Gakpo led Liverpool’s players in that category with 88 attempts.
Beyond his individual ball-carrying ability, Minteh’s defensive work rate makes him a prime candidate for Iraola’s pressing setup. Under manager Fabian Hurzeler, Brighton led the Premier League in final-third regain metrics last term, with Minteh frequently initiating the frontline press. Additionally, his versatility to play on the left flank—demonstrated during Kaoru Mitoma’s injury absences—provides key tactical flexibility for a congested domestic and European schedule.
Brighton’s Leverage and Negotiating Position
From Brighton’s perspective, relinquishing Minteh represents a significant sporting risk. Having already lost forward Danny Welbeck to Chelsea, the Seagulls are reluctant to dismantle their core attacking identity. Although Brighton completed the signing of Canadian international Promise David on loan from Union Saint-Gilloise with an obligation to buy and secured Swedish winger Zadok Johanna from AIK for £21.8 million, Minteh remains one of their few wingers with proven Premier League credentials.
Furthermore, Brighton holds substantial financial leverage due to Minteh’s contract length running through 2029. The club is under no immediate regulatory or economic pressure to sell below its internal valuation, particularly as it simultaneously negotiates the potential sale of midfielder Carlos Baleba to Manchester United for a fee exceeding £60 million.
Parallel Market Moves and Next Steps
Liverpool’s bid for Minteh does not signal an end to their broader transfer activity. The club continues to monitor Paris Saint-Germain’s France international winger Bradley Barcola, alongside PSG teenager Ibrahim Mbaye. While Liverpool and PSG remain far apart in their valuation for Barcola, the pursuit of Minteh is being handled as a independent target to build depth across both flanks.
Whether Liverpool chooses to submit a revised offer higher than £50 million or pivots toward alternative shortlist candidates will depend on Brighton’s firm stance in the coming days. With the player willing to complete the transfer, the decision rests entirely on whether Liverpool’s hierarchy believes increasing their valuation for an injured talent aligns with their broader financial strategy.