Liverpool See £60m Bid For Gambian Winger Rejected: Why He Is A Priority For The Reds
Liverpool have reportedly seen their second bid for Yankuba Minteh rejected by Brighton & Hove Albion.
🚨 Liverpool make improved second bid to sign Yankuba Minteh from Brighton & Hove Albion. Latest #LFC offer worth £60m (after first proposal for £50m) also turned down. #BHAFC understood to want fee more in region of £70m to sell 22yo winger @TheAthleticFC https://t.co/HoDb9VmH06
— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) August 21, 2026
The Reds have made three signings in this summer transfer window thus far, with Victor Munoz joining from CA Osasuna and Ronald Araujo arriving on a season-long loan from Barcelona. The duo have been joined by Jeremy Jacquet. However, having released Mohamed Salah at the end of the season, coupled with Hugo Ekitike’s serious Achilles injury in April, it appears they aren’t stopping when it comes to reinforcements in the forward areas of the pitch.
Yankuba Minteh, 22, joined Brighton from Newcastle United for £30m in the summer of 2024. He has scored 10 goals and supplied nine assists in 73 appearances for the Seagulls across two seasons. The Gambian international is currently recovering from a leg injury sustained in a friendly against AS Roma earlier this month.
Yankuba Minteh to Liverpool—Can the Brighton winger fill Salah-sized boots?
Paris Saint-Germain’s Bradley Barcola remains Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola’s No.1 target, but as it stands, the clubs are too far apart in their valuation of the winger, who is open to moving to the red half of Merseyside. As the deal is stalling, the Reds’ chiefs have shifted to alternative targets to improve their attacking options for the upcoming season.
The priority for Iraola is to strengthen his wide attacking options after the departure of the legendary Mohamed Salah. A certified club legend, Salah registered 257 goals and 123 assists in 441 appearances in all competitions, whilst lifting multiple trophies. It will be an uphill task to replace a player of the Egyptian’s class, calibre and productivity, but Liverpool perhaps view Yankuba Minteh as his ideal replacement.
Minteh has demonstrated at Brighton that he can perform at a high level, terrorising defences in the Premier League with his explosive speed, directness, dribbling and flair. While he only contributed three goals and four assists in 34 Premier League outings last season, the Gambian talent brings a lot more to the table in terms of work rate, pressing and tactical versatility.
A Premier League-proven commodity, he would instantly elevate Liverpool’s attacking unit as well as add to their vital squad depth should a deal go through. At 22, the emerging African star still has rough edges in his game that need sharpening, and Iraola may just be the right man for that and unlock his true potential. With the right coaching, guidance, time and experience, Minteh could explode in the English top flight.
Currently, it is difficult to determine whether the Brighton man will be able to fill the Salah-sized void at Liverpool. For that to happen, though, the player has to mightily improve his productivity and transform his all-round game. After seeing their two sizeable bids rejected, the Liverpool bosses must find a way to persuade the Seagulls into parting ways with one of their prized assets before the September 1 transfer deadline.