Liverpool is believed to have an alternative target lined up in the event that it is unable to sign Gambian right winger Yankuba Minteh from Brighton this summer
Brighton & Hove Albion winger Yankuba Minteh
Liverpool are interested in signing Brighton & Hove Albion winger Yankuba Minteh(Image: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
Liverpool has lined up a transfer alternative in case it cannot land Brighton winger Yankuba Minteh.
With Mohamed Salah having departed on a free this summer, the Reds have been looking to strengthen their right-sided attacking options, with Minteh viewed as a top target. On Friday, it was reported Liverpool had made two bids for the Gambian forward, both of which were rejected by Brighton.
The second offer was reportedly worth $82 million (£60m). However, it fell short of Brighton's valuation of Minteh, with the Seagulls holding out for $95 million (£70m), a figure it has been claimed the Reds are unwilling to meet in their pursuit of the 22-year-old.
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Ahead of Manchester United and Hull's Premier League match at MKM Stadium on Saturday, The Athletic's David Ornstein provided an update on TNT Sports regarding Liverpool's interest in Minteh, explaining the lay of the land following two rejected bids.
According to Ornstein, the Reds have a transfer alternative lined up should they be unable to work out a deal with Brighton for Minteh, who is currently sidelined until October.
Ornstein said: "It [Minteh's move] definitely stands a chance, but if the numbers are not right for Liverpool, I hear that they have another option that they're weighing up and that they could pivot to if it doesn't suit them with Minteh.
righton & Hove Albion's Yankuba Minteh in action during a Premier League match
Brighton's Yankuba Minteh continues to be linked with a move to Liverpool(Image: Photo by Lee Parker - CameraSport via Getty Images)
"I'm not ruling it out, of course.
"Brighton know he's a coveted talent, so they want ... £70m ($95m) in excess of with add-ons.
"I'm not sure Liverpool want to go quite that far ... I think he could go to a level we've not seen so far [at Liverpool].
"The injuries are a concern, but if you're so convinced by the talent, you could probably take the risk."
Despite Minteh being sidelined until October while he recovers from surgery on his right leg following an injury sustained during preseason, Liverpool's double bid for the Brighton winger suggests it does not view his unavailability for the opening two months of the Premier League as an issue.
Minteh joined Brighton from Newcastle in the summer of 2024, with his move to the south coast enforced in part by the Magpies' PSR issues.
Adding attacking reinforcements this summer is imperative for Liverpool, especially given the departure of Salah, the long-term injury to Hugo Ekitike, and Alexander Isak's fitness struggles since moving to Anfield from Newcastle last summer.
So far this summer, Liverpool has signed one forward in the form of Spanish winger Victor Munoz.