Liverpool is running out of Bradley Barcola backup transfer options after longtime target Yankuba Minteh of Brighton suffered a new injury that will see him miss extended time
Yankuba Minteh suffered an injury in Brighton's most recent preseason contest
Yankuba Minteh suffered an injury in Brighton's most recent preseason contest(Image: Getty Images)
Even though Liverpool is inching closer to a potential deal with Paris Saint-Germain for French winger Bradley Barcola, the Reds have lined up a slew of transfer alternates in case a move falls through at the 11th hour.
One such player was 22-year-old Brighton winger Yankuba Minteh, a Gambian international with 46 Premier League starts in two years for the Seagulls.
Andy Naylor of The Athletic confirmed that Minteh will miss two to three months with a right knee injury after suffering a knock in Brighton's preseason weekend friendly against Roma. Surgery remains an option for the Gambian, and Brighton does not plan on signing a replacement.
Minteh, under contract at Brighton through 2029, started his professional career at local club Steve Biko in The Gambia before he was signed by Danish side OB.
Newcastle was actually the first English side to come in for him, purchasing the speedy winger for €7 million ($8.1 million) before swiftly sending him on loan to Dutch giant Feyenoord.
Minteh excelled and was soon a promising target for an expensive move.
Newcastle dumped him to Brighton for £30 million ($40.7 million) during the club's 2024 summer fire sale that saw it ship Elliot Anderson to Nottingham Forest for a similar fee.
Yankuba Minteh breezes past Federico Chiesa in a 2025 Premier League contest
Yankuba Minteh breezes past Federico Chiesa in a 2025 Premier League contest(Image: Getty Images)
The 22-year-old left-footer has started almost exclusively on the right wing for Brighton in his first two seasons, scoring nine goals and tallying eight Premier League assists.
With Yan Diomande at Real Madrid, Rayan seeming poised to stay at Bournemouth, and Maghnes Akliouche already signed by PSG, Liverpool is not left with much cover in case a move for Barcola falls through.
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano confirmed on Friday that PSG reached a €55 million ($63.7 million) package for Ajax winger Mika Godts, perhaps smoothing the release of Barcola to the Reds.
“Don’t forget that Liverpool remain in daily conversation with PSG for Bradley Barcola,” Romano shared on the most recent recording of his 'Here We Go' podcast.
“Liverpool have an agreement with Barcola on personal terms (verbal agreement). Barcola wants to go to Liverpool. Barcola has never been untouchable.... Liverpool [is] ready to go strong for Bradley Barcola."
Romano added: "Now it depends on the financial agreement. But even on Thursday, contacts took place between PSG and Liverpool. So, the deal is on."
Liverpool kicks off its Premier League season on Sunday, August 23, at St. James' Park against Newcastle.