Liverpool's Pursuit of Yankuba Minteh Heats Up

Liverpool’s pursuit of Yankuba Minteh has moved from background noise to centre stage – and fast.

The Brighton winger, long on the Reds’ list but never quite at the front of it, has now given the green light to a move to Anfield, according to Fabrizio Romano. The Italian reporter says Liverpool and Minteh have reached a broad verbal agreement on personal terms, with the Gambian youngster saying yes to the “#LFC project”.

The problem sits on the south coast.

Brighton have already turned down two sizeable offers. Liverpool’s opening £50million bid was rejected, and a second offer – this time worth £60m – has also been knocked back. Gambian journalist Foday Manneh first revealed the latest rejection, confirming that the Seagulls had again said no but that both clubs remain hopeful of finding common ground and are still in talks.

So Liverpool have the player. At least in principle. They just don’t have the selling club.

Brighton stand firm as Liverpool weigh their next move

The expectation in some quarters was that £60m might be the magic number. Ben Jacobs suggested that figure “would be a very difficult offer for Brighton to turn down” as Liverpool debated whether to go back in after the initial £50m bid.

Brighton, though, have sent a clear message: if Liverpool want Minteh, they will have to dig deeper.

That stance complicates Liverpool’s wider plan for the wing. Jacobs has stressed that Bradley Barcola remains the priority target, describing the Frenchman as the “number one – a must-get if they possibly can”, with Minteh one of several other options the club have explored and even bid for.

Liverpool’s interest in Minteh had cooled earlier in the summer while Barcola dominated the internal discussion. Now, as Barcola’s situation drags and Minteh’s willingness to join becomes concrete, the dynamic has shifted again. The chase has become public, the numbers are climbing, and Brighton are not blinking.

How hard do Liverpool push now?

Liverpool “must go harder” if they truly want Minteh. That much is obvious. What nobody yet knows is how hard they are prepared to go.

With two bids already rebuffed and personal terms broadly in place, the next offer will be decisive. A third proposal is expected, but its value remains under wraps. What is clear is that any assumption this deal would be simpler than a move for Barcola has already been blown apart.

Liverpool thought Minteh might be the more straightforward route to reinforcing their forward line.

Brighton have made sure it is anything but.