Liverpool have been heavily linked with Brighton forward Yankuba Minteh, with the Reds having two bids, reportedly worth £50million and £60million, rejected.
A third offer had been expected early this week, with a fee of around £70million thought to be enough to secure a deal. However, Brighton have now reportedly informed Liverpool that they want £80million for the 22-year-old.
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Minteh has scored 10 goals and provided nine assists in 73 appearances for Brighton. The winger is currently sidelined with an injury and is not expected to return until at least October.
Minteh is viewed as a potential solution to Liverpool’s long-standing search for a right winger following Mohamed Salah’s departure. However, Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler has insisted that Minteh remains a Brighton player and needs to commit to the club.
Hurzeler said: “He’s a Brighton player. He needs to commit to this club. He knows that these rumours only come because he benefits from everything here. Everyone knows how the football business works, let’s see the ideas from Liverpool.
Speaking to the media before Thursday’s Conference League game against Tromso at Amex Stadium, Hurzeler added: “It’s important for a player to understand what you have here playing for a club like Brighton. You have a club that gives you a chance.
“You have a club and team-mates that are trying to push you. You have a club that’s there for you also in tough moments, like Carlos Baleba had so many tough moments when he was here. Minteh also had tough moments but we are always there for them.”
Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola has been vocal about his desire for immediate reinforcements, acknowledging the limitations of his squad amid interest from Tottenham and Manchester City in Cody Gakpo.
Iraola said: “Some deals you have to wait until the end. But the end is the important picture, the one we will have on September 1, because it is true that we are still quite thin.”
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