Liverpool are struggling to secure their priority target, Brighton & Hove Albion winger Yankuba Minteh, as the south-coast club remains optimistic about retaining the 22-year-old. Since his arrival from Newcastle United in the summer of 2024, the Gambian international has become a key figure at the Amex, recording 10 goals and nine assists across 73 appearances in all competitions. Last season, he contributed three goals and four assists in 36 matches, with all of his goal involvements occurring during 34 Premier League outings as Brighton secured an eighth-place finish.
Despite Minteh being under contract until 2029, Liverpool have aggressively pursued the winger, though two formal bids of £50 million and £60 million have already been turned down. Reports suggest that Brighton are holding out for a fee in the region of £70 million. Negotiations between the two clubs are ongoing, though the situation is complicated by a significant injury the player sustained during a recent friendly match against AS Roma. Following a challenge from Bryan Cristante, Minteh is expected to remain sidelined for two to three months to regain full match fitness.
Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler has addressed the setback, which occurred during a 3-0 victory where Georginio Rutter and Yasin Ayari—who netted twice—provided the goals. While the transfer saga continues, Liverpool are currently focused on their domestic campaign under new manager Andoni Iraola. The Reds opened their season with a 2-2 draw against Newcastle United, where an early Anthony Elanga goal and a Cody Gakpo equalizer were followed by a Joe Willock strike for the Magpies. Dominik Szoboszlai eventually salvaged a point for Liverpool with a dramatic 99th-minute penalty.
Looking ahead, Liverpool aim to secure their first win of the season when they host Nottingham Forest on Saturday, August 29. Following that fixture, the squad is scheduled to travel to face Ipswich Town six days later. Whether Minteh will be part of the Anfield project remains uncertain as the two clubs continue to navigate the valuation gap in the final stages of the transfer window. The report also notes that with all the goal contributions coming in 34 outings in the Premier League, where the Seagulls finished eighth and went out in the fourth round in bot, that includes three strikes and four assists in 36 games last season.
