**When Liverpool sold Luis Diaz to Bayern Munich last summer, there were a lot of reasons thrown about, but with Yankuba Minteh set to join the Reds, it’s making me second-guess selling Diaz.**
The sale of the Colombian was met with mixed reviews, but the proof has really been in the pudding.
His first season at Bayern yielded 26 goals and 23 assists (49 G/A) and two trophies, as well as a run to the Champions League semi-final. Only PSG were able to stop Bayern Munich in their march, highlighting just how powerful the Bavarians were last season.
Diaz was a crucial part of that run.
Liverpool sold him for £65m after refusing to meet his contract demands, with Cody Gakpo assuming his role in the starting XI on the left wing under Arne Slot, and the Dutchman simply did not meet the standards required.
Fast forward to this summer, and Liverpool are in talks with Brighton over a £70m fee for Yankuba Minteh, although they are hoping to wrap the deal up at the £65m mark.
Minteh will need to score and assist A LOT more
-----------------------------------------------
The Gambian is a sensational player. I want that to be clear. The 22-year-old is by no means a bad player, but he will need to contribute a lot more goals and assists to be the kind of player Liverpool need at £65m.
Diaz, in his final season at Anfield, had 25 goal contributions, playing a starring role in the 2024/25 Premier League title triumph. That’s what Liverpool should be able to expect from a £65m attacking signing, whereas the output Minteh has so far managed with Brighton is more in line with a £40m signing.
It sounds harsh, but Liverpool need their new signings to hit the ground running after the issues they’ve faced in the last year or so.