Liverpool are set to hold fresh talks with Brighton today despite both clubs playing their first Premier League game of the 2026/27 season.
Newcastle United host Liverpool at St. James’ Park while Brighton face Aston Villa at home, with each side hoping to kickstart their respective domestic campaign with a win.
The Reds have welcomed Andoni Iraola to the club as a replacement for Arne Slot, but a shaky pre-season means the first real indication of Liverpool’s future will arrive this evening.
The next hint at what Liverpool’s transfer future looks like will also come tonight, with more talks planned between Liverpool and Brighton.
Journalist Ben Jacobs reports on X: “Fresh talks later today between Liverpool and Brighton for Yankuba Minteh. Understand contact expected even though both sides have a game as LFC decide whether to make a third bid.”
Fresh talks later today between Liverpool and Brighton for Yankuba Minteh.
Understand contact expected even though both sides have a game as #LFC decide whether to make a third bid.?? pic.twitter.com/3hVNLQj6zK
— Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen) August 23, 2026
Liverpool may have to spend as much as £70m to sign Minteh this season despite the 22-year-old being on the sidelines for at least another 8 weeks after surgery on a hip injury.
The Mersesiders believe that Minteh is the right player to sign for the right wing after PSG’s asking price made it unwise to move for Ibrahim Mbaye this summer. They wanted €70m (£60m) for the 18-year-old, which is simply not within Liverpool’s budget this summer. More importantly, they don’t believe he’s worth that price at the moment and have now moved on to Minteh.
The Brighton forward is a force of nature when he has the ball at his feet, driving and exploding past Premier League midfielders and defenders since he joined the Seagulls for £30m from Newcastle United in 2024.
That said, his attacking output needs major improvements if Liverpool are going to be spending £70m on him. Three goals and four assists in 34 Premier League games last season is poor, and 27 goals and 10 assists in 134 senior games isn’t much better.
Liverpool are replacing Mohamed Salah. The Salah. I understand Bradley Barcola is the true talismanic replacement in spirit for the Egyptian, but Minteh will still need to do a lot better to be considered worthy of taking Salah’s spot in the team.