2XYPHHK FRANCEVILLE, GABON - JUNE 11: Yankuba Minteh of Gambia during the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifier match between Gabon and Gambia at Stade De Francevil
2XYPHHK FRANCEVILLE, GABON - JUNE 11: Yankuba Minteh of Gambia during the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifier match between Gabon and Gambia at Stade De Francevil
Prior to Brighton rejecting two bids from Liverpool, Yankuba Minteh spoke of how a move to Liverpool would ‘suit him really well.’
In the last week, Liverpool have had two bids rejected by Brighton of £50 million and £60m for their right-sided attacker, Minteh.
The Gambian international has been on the south coast for two years but has made it clear he wants to leave for a bigger club.
“I always dream and I always had this belief in me that one day I will play in one of the biggest teams in the world,” Minteh told journalist Foday Manneh ‘weeks ago’.
?????? ?????? ??????? 5 ?
“????????? ????? ?????? ????” says Brighton star.
?? Yankuba Minteh speaks to me weeks ago about his dream club and his relationship with former #LFC head coach, Arne Slot, under whom he played at Feyenoord. pic.twitter.com/37jSxbUqUs
— Foday Manneh (@foday_manneh_) August 21, 2026
“My dream club for me is any team that comes. As long as it’s a big club, I will go there because everyone wants to play in a big club.
“But I think the club which suits me really well, I would say Liverpool.”
Pressed further on a potential move, Minteh was asked whether he was aware of the interest from the Reds, to which he replied: “Yeah, but it’s not in my head.”
Yankuba Minteh’s relationship with Sadio Mane
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, May 29, 2022: Liverpool's Sadio Mané and Joel Matip during an open top bus parade around the city after the club won the Cup Double, the FA Cup and the Football League Cup. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, May 29, 2022: Liverpool's Sadio Mané and Joel Matip during an open top bus parade around the city after the club won the Cup Double, the FA Cup and the Football League Cup. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
One of Minteh’s inspirations growing up was Sadio Mane, who hails from neighbouring country Senegal.
The pair met in 2022 and have stayed in touch, exchanging phone calls and no doubt stories from Mane’s time at Liverpool.
“I admire from Africa and he plays in Liverpool and I see what he does there,” Brighton‘s Gambian winger said.
“We speak but he never talks about the transfers. I check on him sometimes. Sometimes he also checks on me, calls me, checks on me, how I’m doing.
JANUARY 19: Yankuba Minteh of Brighton and Hove Albion (Image: Mitchel Davidson/Alamy Live News)
JANUARY 19: Yankuba Minteh of Brighton and Hove Albion (Image: Mitchel Davidson/Alamy Live News)
“We have this connection, yeah. I always call him.”
Mane, a fellow winger with immense talent at beating his marker, gave Minteh advice earlier in his career about how to reach the top.
Minteh recalled: “He came to me and told me to keep going, ‘I know what you can do so just keep working hard and continue doing what you are doing’.”
Wise words from the Liverpool legend and ones Minteh should heed if Liverpool do get a deal over the line.
Yankuba Minteh of Brighton
JANUARY 19: Yankuba Minteh of Brighton and Hove Albion (Image: Mitchel Davidson/Alamy Live News)
Football – Pre-Season – Liverpool USA Tour Day 6 – Liverpool FC v AFC Sunderland
NASHVILLE, USA - Saturday, July 25, 2026: Liverpool's Mor Talla Ndiaye and Ifeanyi Ndukwe after a friendly match between Liverpool FC and AFC Sunderland at the Nashville SC Stadium. Liverpool won 4-2. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)