Liverpool has been linked with a move for Brighton winger Yankuba Minteh as the transfer deadline approaches
Yankuba Minteh of Brighton & Hove Albion celebrates following a victory in the Premier League
Liverpool have reportedly had a bid rejected for Brighton's Yankuba Minteh(Image: Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)
With a little over a week to go before the transfer window slams shut, Liverpool now faces a race against time to complete its summer business.
By comparison with last year, it's been a remarkably quiet summer so far for the Reds. They swooped early to trigger Victor Munoz's release clause at Osasuna, while a deal for Rennes defender Jeremy Jacquet had already been agreed back in January.
Since then, Liverpool has completed a loan move for Barcelona center back Ronald Araujo, with the deal including an option to buy rather than an obligation. But the club's recruitment team is yet to sign a replacement for talisman Mohamed Salah, who departed as a free agent at the end of last season and has since joined Turkish side Trabzonspor.
For much of the summer, links to Paris Saint-Germain duo Bradley Barcola and Ibrahim Mbaye have dominated the headlines. However, this week, a new name has emerged in the form of Brighton winger Yankuba Minteh, with reports claiming the Reds have seen a bid rejected for the Gambia international.
With that said, here's a look at all the latest news and rumors surrounding Liverpool's reported interest in Minteh....
Links dismissed as old news
It was The Athletic that broke the news of Liverpool's rejected bid for Minteh on Thursday evening. The outlet claims Brighton turned down a £50 million ($68 million) offer for the 22-year-old, who only joined the Seagulls from Newcastle in a deal worth £30 million ($41 million) back in 2024.
However, a fresh update from Footy Africa claims sources close to the player have strongly rejected the latest rumors, describing them as "old news". Of course, Liverpool has been in the market for a winger all summer, but a minor leg injury suffered during preseason cast doubt over whether Minteh would be a viable target for the Reds.
Yankuba Minteh of Brighton & Hove Albion appeals his yellow card during the Premier League match between Sunderland and Brighton & Hove Albion
Liverpool has seen a bid for Yankuba Minteh rejected by Brighton(Image: (Photo by Alfie Cosgrove/News Images/NurPhoto via Getty Images))
As a result, this latest update casts further doubt over whether Liverpool is actively pursuing Minteh at this stage. But, of course, it's one to watch in the remaining week of the transfer window given he predominantly plays on the right wing.
Brighton sets asking price
Despite claims from sources close to the player's camp, the English media still suggests a deal is possible before the deadline. The Athletic has already suggested it is a deal that will likely end up happening, given the rejected bid from Liverpool is close to what Brighton would demand.
Now, a report from talkSPORT has outlined what it will take to get Brighton to sanction a move. Journalist Ben Jacobs says a fee in the region of £60 million ($82 million) would be very difficult for Brighton to turn down.
He also confirms that, while PSG's Barcola remains the priority target, Liverpool continues to explore a number of other options, of which Minteh is seemingly one. It has been suggested the Reds intend to sign two wingers before the window closes to ensure they have enough attacking depth next season.