Yankuba Minteh's Dream Move: Brighton Boss Fabian Hurzeler's Vision

Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler insists Yankuba Minteh can still chase his “dream” move one day – but only after helping the Seagulls fly higher first.

Liverpool saw bids of £50m and then £60m knocked back for the 22-year-old winger in the recent transfer window, as Andoni Iraola pushed to add more firepower out wide. Brighton held firm. The south-coast club wanted a figure closer to £70m before even thinking about doing business.

Minteh, a Gambia international who arrived from Newcastle for £30m in 2024, has become a key part of Brighton’s attack. Operating mainly off the right, he has produced 10 goals and nine assists across 73 appearances, numbers that explain why Liverpool came calling.

For now, though, Hurzeler is adamant the player’s focus remains at the Amex.

Speaking before Saturday’s Premier League clash with Leeds, the German laid out the path he believes can still take Minteh to the very top.

“If the whole team is successful and the individual shines then Yankuba will get a lot of attention again and he can then maybe fulfil his dream in the next transfer window,” Hurzeler said.

The message was clear: perform for Brighton, and the doors elsewhere will open.

Hurzeler also moved quickly to shut down any suggestion that the failed switch to Merseyside has unsettled his winger.

Minteh is “definitely” committed to the club, the manager stressed.

“He wears the Brighton colours, he wears the Brighton badge. He has been with us for two years now as part of the squad. He has achieved great things together with the boys,” Hurzeler said, underlining the player’s place in the dressing room.

Then came the challenge.

“It’s also about him now to commit. In the end, we always say we want to be successful as a club and then you can shine as individuals.

“That is what we have proved in the past. If we achieve things together, the attention will come to the individual players and that will be the case also this season.”

Brighton have made a habit of turning rising talents into headline transfers. Minteh knows the route. The question now is how brightly he can burn in blue and white before the next window opens.