Liverpool have already seen a £50million bid for Yankuba Minteh rejected by Brighton as they step up their search for attacking reinforcements following Mohamed Salah’s departure.
The 22-year-old has emerged as a target despite currently being sidelined after undergoing surgery on a right leg injury sustained against AS Roma earlier this month. Minteh is expected to be out for another eight weeks.
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Minteh is reportedly keen on the move if the two clubs can agree on a fee. Victor Munoz remains their only attacking signing this summer.
The Gambia international has registered nine goals and eight assists in 66 Premier League appearances for Brighton so far. Primarily a right winger, he has also featured on the left when Kaoru Mitoma has been unavailable.
According to Gambian journalist Foday Manneh, Liverpool have had a second bid for Yankuba Minteh rejected by Brighton. The two clubs remain hopeful of reaching an agreement and are continuing talks.
Manneh posted on X: “Yankuba Minteh to Liverpool FC; a second bid rejected by Brighton from #LFC for the Gambian winger after a £50M opening offer turned down, I can exclusively confirm today. The two clubs are hopeful about agreeing and continue talks.”
The Times’ Paul Joyce also reports that Liverpool have had an improved offer of around £60million for Minteh rejected by Brighton.
Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler, meanwhile, says Liverpool’s interest in Minteh comes as no surprise and expects the situation surrounding his players to “evolve” before the transfer window closes.
“It’s normal if you’re successful as a team, if the team is doing well, has some good achievements, then the individual can shine and of course there will be a big ask for our players,” Hurzeler said. “That’s part of our identity, part of my job here.
“It was clear for everyone that this might happen during a busy transfer window. We can go through now every individual player, we all know how important these kinds of players are for me.
“But we also know that good achievements, big achievements, especially in the Premier League, you create offers, you create a lot of attention. So we have to wait now, the situation will evolve.
“I’m not here to complain, I’m here to find solutions and I’m convinced that, together with my players, we will find good solutions.”