Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers
Liverpool-linked Yankuba Minteh has named his top five African players to have played in the Premier League, excluding Mohamed Salah from this list.
Minteh has plied his trade in the English top flight for two seasons now, making 73 appearances for Brighton since moving to the south coast club from Newcastle United in 2024. Despite having just nine Premier League goals to his name, Liverpool are said to be close to completing the signing of the 22-year-old, in a deal that could exceed £60 million.
The Reds are desperate for forward reinforcements as they head into the new season with limited options on both flanks.
They've identified Minteh as a top target, although fans of the Merseyside club won't be too fond of the Gambian's perceived lack of admiration for the man he might replace at Anfield.
Yankuba Minteh Names His Top Five African Players to Have Played in the Premier League
via Reuters
Asked by BBC News Africa for his top five players from the continent who have played in the Premier League, Minteh quickly drew up his shortlist.
At number five, the young wide man selected Tottenham's Mohammed Kudus. The Ghanaian has made 84 appearances in the English top division for Spurs and West Ham, netting 15 goals in the process.
"Number five would be Mohammed Kudus," Minteh said.
"I love the way he plays. He is really good with the ball. He's also a team player."
Next, Minteh picked Samuel Eto'o, who had brief spells at Chelsea and Everton between 2013 and 2015, but spent the majority of his best years outside of the Premier League.
"Number four is Samuel Eto'o," explained Minteh.
"He has been scoring goals, making the African flag go higher. He is someone who is really important in Africa also."
At three, the Brighton winger picked legendary Chelsea striker Didier Drogba, who won two Golden Boots and two league titles with the Blues.
In at number two, Minteh picked another ex-Chelsea star in Michael Essien, who was a key pillar in a number of successful teams at Stamford Bridge.
"Number two would be Michael Essien. I love the way he played. He was a beast, roaming everywhere on the pitch."
Finally, Minteh named fellow wide man Sadio Mane as his best-ever African to grace the Premier League.
"Number one is Sadio Mane. Things look easy for him. The way he works hard. No matter what you do, if you put hard work there, and put God first for everything, it always pays off, and that's what Mane did."
No Room For Mo Salah in Yankuba Minteh's List
Peter Powell vs Reuters
Two-time Premier League winner and four-time Golden Boot winner Mohamed Salah did not qualify for Minteh's list.
While people can have preferences for certain players, it's not just that the Anfield-bound Minteh left Salah out. He also revealed that he doesn't look up to the Egyptian, which certainly won't go down well with Liverpool supporters.
"No Mohamed Salah," the interviewer asked him. Minteh responded:
It's certainly a bold call to leave him off the list, and even bolder from Minteh to reveal that he doesn't look up to Salah in any manner. Those comments likely won't go down well with Liverpool fans, who may soon be cheering on the player at Anfield.