Yankuba Minteh transfer: Liverpool deal update for 2026
The 22-year-old Gambian winger at Brighton & Hove Albion remains keen on a move to Liverpool, with interest persisting despite a summer stalemate and the winger’s ongoing injury absence....
The 22-year-old Gambian winger at Brighton & Hove Albion remains keen on a move to Liverpool, with interest persisting despite a summer stalemate and the winger’s ongoing injury absence.
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Liverpool interest and the £80m valuation
Liverpool reportedly lodged offers in the region of £50m and £60m during the summer transfer window, but Brighton stood firm on their valuation. The Seagulls are understood to have priced Minteh at around £70m initially and are said to have pushed the asking price up to £80m late in negotiations, effectively ending discussions before the deadline.
Although that deal collapsed, Gambian football expert Baboucarr Fallaboweh told Sport Witness that Minteh would still favour a move to Liverpool if the club returned with renewed interest. His assessment suggests Premier League clubs could stay in the frame as January approaches.
Fallaboweh said: “I think Liverpool. He will still want to go to Liverpool. Depending on [how] Liverpool will activate that desire to still have him.” He added: “But at the overall situation, even if he moves, I don’t think he will move outside the Premier League. Manchester United can come banging on their doors.”
Injury concerns and playing time
A major factor in Minteh’s potential transfer is his fitness. The winger has not appeared for Brighton this season while he recovers from a injury, and any club assessing him will want to see him return to form before pursuing a deal.
Brighton’s decision to resist offers in the summer implies the club views Minteh as a valuable asset, either for the first team or as a high-value sale when market conditions align. The combination of his recovery timeline and the elevated asking price could delay transfer activity until there is clearer evidence of fitness.
Why the transfer would matter
For Liverpool, Minteh would provide a youthful, pacey option on the flanks that could fit the attacking profile under Jurgen Klopp or his successor, should he regain peak form. The Reds have monitored several attacking targets in recent windows, and Minteh’s previous links indicated he had been on their short-list during the summer.
Fallaboweh’s comments also point to sustained interest from Manchester United, suggesting that Minteh’s profile has attracted attention at the highest level of the Premier League. Any move—whether to Liverpool, United, or another top side—would hinge on Brighton’s willingness to negotiate and Minteh’s post-injury performance.
Yankuba Minteh transfer: context and next steps
Looking ahead, Minteh’s immediate priority is a successful return to action and a demonstration of form. A productive spell of games for Brighton could keep January approaches on the table; a prolonged absence might dampen interest or prompt a willingness to accept a lower valuation.
Brighton’s stance on asking prices preserves leverage in negotiations. Clubs tracking Minteh will weigh the financial risk of a winter signing against the potential upside of a player returning from injury. This dynamic will influence whether Liverpool—or Manchester United—revive concrete offers in the January window.
What happens next
The recovery timeline and any subsequent appearances for Brighton will be decisive. If Minteh shows form upon his return, renewed speculation and possible approaches could emerge in January. If Brighton remains firm on their valuation, clubs may wait or pivot to alternative targets. Any official movement will likely depend on clear fitness evidence and Brighton’s willingness to engage commercially.
Until then, reports of continued interest should be read as ongoing transfer speculation grounded in past bids and expert commentary, rather than as completed deals.
Source: Original report
