Liverpool could revive their interest in Brighton forward Yankuba Minteh during the January transfer window after failing to reach an agreement for the 22-year-old in the summer.
The Reds made two bids for the Gambia international, with Sky Sports reporting that offers of £50 million and £60 million were rejected. Brighton are understood to value Minteh closer to £70 million.
Football Insider reports that Liverpool remain interested in returning for the winger after the turn of the year, although any decision will depend on how their attacking options perform during the first half of the season.
Liverpool weighing another move for Yankuba Minteh
Liverpool have already strengthened their forward line by signing Victor Munoz from Osasuna and Bradley Barcola from Paris Saint-Germain. Barcola completed his move to Anfield on August 31, while Munoz arrived earlier in the summer.
However, Minteh remains under consideration as Liverpool assess their options on the right side of the attack following Mohamed Salah’s departure. His pace, direct running and willingness to cut inside have made him an appealing target.
Pete O’Rourke, speaking on the Football Insider Transfer Insider podcast, said Liverpool would continue to monitor the situation if they decided to recruit another right-sided attacker in January.
“Liverpool will be looking at a number of targets in January if they are planning to bring in a new right-sided attacker, somebody to fill the void of Mohamed Salah,” O’Rourke said. “I’m sure they’ll be keeping tabs on Yankuba Minteh’s situation at Brighton; they made a couple of bids for him that were rejected.”
He added that Liverpool’s plans could change if Barcola establishes himself quickly or if Cody Gakpo and Munoz provide an effective solution on the right flank.
Minteh is currently recovering from a leg injury sustained during Brighton’s pre-season victory over Roma. Brighton head coach Fabian Hurzeler was unable to provide a precise timescale immediately after the incident, while reports have suggested the player could be unavailable until October.
Sky Sports reported that Brighton’s valuation and the injury were key factors in preventing a summer transfer. The Seagulls are unlikely to welcome losing an important player midway through the campaign, meaning Liverpool may again face a substantial fee if they make a formal approach in January.
Much will depend on Minteh’s recovery and form when he returns, as well as whether Liverpool decide their existing wide options are sufficient. For now, the forward remains a potential target rather than a player the club are certain to pursue.
