Liverpool could yet face competition from Manchester City in the final days of the 2026 summer transfer window over Brighton winger Yankuba Minteh, according to reports.
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Enzo Maresca’s first summer in charge of Manchester City has been picked apart in some quarters, and many supporters at the Etihad Stadium remain unhappy with the club’s transfer strategy thus far.
City have already lost the likes of Bernardo Silva, John Stones, and Rodri - who joined Barcelona for £65 million last Tuesday - so far in this window and are preparing for more departures, with Savinho and Omar Marmoush expected to complete moves to Tottenham Hotspur.
Yet, despite signing Elliot Anderson and showing considerable progress in the ongoing pursuit of 18-year-old wonderkid Ayyoub Bouaddi - with a €100 million agreement understood to be in place with those at Lille - there are still several gaps that need filling.
Tottenham have reached an agreement to sign Omar Marmoush on an initial season-long loan from Manchester City, according to a new report.cityxtra.co.ukTottenham Agree Omar Marmoush Loan Deal With Man City Containing Purchase Clause
Tottenham have reached an agreement to sign Omar Marmoush on an initial season-long loan from Manchester City, according to a new report.
Liverpool lead race for Minteh despite two rejected bids
Newly-appointed Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola has made a strong effort to strengthen his attacking options at Anfield following the departure of Mohamed Salah, who left the club at the end of last season after nine years and over 440 appearances.
The Merseyside giants have already sent two offers to Brighton & Hove Albion for Yankuba Minteh, worth £50 million and £60 million respectively, but both were swiftly rejected as the south coast club hope to retain their star wide player, who registered three goals and four assists last season.
Those at Liverpool could also be running out of time, however, after Ben Jacobs reported that Manchester City are also monitoring Minteh, despite the fact that there has been no approach up to this point.
Whether City are testing the waters to see if they can secure a cheaper agreement or are showing true interest in the player is yet to be seen. A huge caveat, though, is that Yankuba Minteh will currently be sidelined for around two to three months after having surgery during pre-season.
Minteh a good replacement for Savinho or Marmoush?
The relevance of Manchester City’s interest in Yankuba Minteh comes at a time when manager Enzo Maresca is soon to be without two of his most explosive attacking options in Savinho and Omar Marmoush.
Both players look set to join Tottenham Hotspur in a combined agreement that could feed Manchester City anywhere from £130 million or more, giving sporting director Hugo Viana plenty of wiggle room to negotiate a deal for the Brighton attacker.
It is clear that Minteh has caught the eye of many in Europe with his age, 22, Premier League experience and ability to operate on the right side of attack, but whether he would work under Maresca is a totally different kettle of fish.
Manchester City have shown equal promise in Allan Elias, the Brazilian right-winger from Palmeiras, who is worth around €40 million. According to Fabrizio Romano, City reached a verbal agreement with the player, who wants a move to the Etihad Stadium this summer.