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Brighton have rejected a £50m bid from Liverpool for winger Yankuba Minteh.
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Liverpool are looking to strengthen their wide attacking options following Mohamed Salah’s departure.
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Minteh, 22, has scored 10 goals and provided nine assists in 73 appearances for Brighton.
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Liverpool are also interested in Paris Saint-Germain winger Bradley Barcola, but a major valuation gap remains.
August 20, (THEWILL) — Liverpool have suffered a setback in their search for attacking reinforcements after Brighton rejected a £50m bid for winger Yankuba Minteh.
The Reds are exploring several options to strengthen their wide positions after the departure of Mohamed Salah, and Minteh has emerged as one of the players under consideration.
The 22-year-old Gambia international has impressed since joining Brighton from Newcastle United in 2024 for a reported £30m fee. He has made 73 appearances for the Seagulls, scoring 10 goals and registering nine assists.
Brighton’s decision to reject Liverpool’s opening offer means the Premier League champions will now have to decide whether to increase their bid or turn their attention to alternative targets.
Liverpool looking for more attacking options
Liverpool’s priority for the remainder of the transfer window is to add more quality and depth to their attack.
The departure of Salah has left a significant void on the right side, with the Egyptian having been one of the club’s most important attacking players during his time at Anfield.
Liverpool have already moved to strengthen their forward options this summer, signing Victor Munoz from Osasuna for £34m.
Munoz is capable of playing both on the wing and through the middle, but Liverpool are continuing to assess the market for another wide attacker.
Minteh’s pace, direct running and ability to operate from the right make him an attractive option for the Reds.
Brighton unwilling to sell cheaply
Liverpool’s £50m proposal was not enough to convince Brighton to part ways with Minteh.
The winger still has a significant role to play for the club and Brighton are under no immediate pressure to accept an offer that does not meet their valuation.
Minteh joined Newcastle from Danish club Odense before moving to Brighton in 2024. His performances have since established him as an important attacking option for the Seagulls.
However, his current situation is complicated by an injury.
Minteh is recovering from a leg problem suffered during Brighton’s friendly against Roma earlier this month, which could affect his availability at the beginning of the new campaign.
Liverpool also interested in Barcola
Minteh is not the only attacking player on Liverpool’s radar.
Paris Saint-Germain winger Bradley Barcola remains a major target for the club as they look to add another high-level forward.
The 23-year-old France international is reportedly open to a move to Anfield, but Liverpool and PSG remain some distance apart over his valuation.
PSG are believed to want a fee in the region of £145m for Barcola, while Liverpool would prefer to reach an agreement closer to £100m.
That substantial difference could make a deal difficult, particularly with Liverpool now also having to consider whether to return with an improved offer for Minteh.
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For Brighton, the rejection of Liverpool’s £50m bid underlines the club’s determination to protect the value of one of their promising attacking players.
For Liverpool, meanwhile, the development highlights the difficulty of replacing a player of Salah’s importance while finding reinforcements capable of making an immediate impact.
Minteh’s age, Premier League experience and attacking qualities make him an appealing option, but Brighton’s response suggests that Liverpool may need to significantly improve their proposal if they want to take the negotiations further.
With the transfer window approaching its final stages, the Reds will continue to assess their options.
Whether they return to Brighton with a bigger offer for Minteh, increase their efforts to sign Barcola or pursue another target remains to be seen.
For now, Brighton have made their position clear: £50m is not enough to take Yankuba Minteh away from the Amex.
Olumide Atiba is a sports journalist with THEWILL, known for his keen news sense and compelling storytelling. He has built a reputation for turning leads into clear, well-structured reports that resonate with readers, with a strong focus on football coverage
