Liverpool's Transfer Race for Yankuba Minteh

Liverpool’s transfer window has turned into a race against the clock, and the latest twist centres on Yankuba Minteh.

With roughly a week left to shape their squad, the club still have glaring holes to fill. Curtis Jones has departed, opening up a space in midfield. On the right flank, Mohamed Salah’s exit remains unresolved on the pitch, with no like-for-like replacement signed and the wide attacking output still badly in need of repair.

All signs now point to Minteh as Liverpool’s preferred answer on that side. The Brighton winger has attracted serious interest from Anfield, with the club making two bids. Both have been knocked back. The second, according to The Athletic, reached £60 million – a figure that already feels like the upper edge of sensible business.

Brighton, predictably stubborn sellers, want more. Liverpool must decide whether to push beyond that mark and accept they are paying over the odds, or walk away and start again with the days draining away.

There is movement behind the scenes. Minteh’s agent, Bakary Bojang, posted an image on his Instagram story showing himself preparing to board a plane, strongly hinting at late-window talks. That picture alone was enough to send the rumour mill into overdrive. It suggests negotiations on personal terms are at least imminent, if not already under way.

It needs to be quick. The calendar leaves Liverpool no choice. If Minteh is to become Salah’s successor, the club must commit now, not in theory, not as one of several options.

Yet the whole process has felt messy. Liverpool initially targeted Yan Diomande for the role on the right, only to switch focus to Ibrahim Mbaye a couple of weeks ago. Now the spotlight has swung again, this time onto Minteh – a winger whose form has been inconsistent and who is currently sidelined with a three‑month injury.

That is the gamble. Back an injured, hit‑and‑miss talent at a premium fee, or accept that the market has beaten you this summer.

If Liverpool believe Minteh is the right fit, they will have to show it decisively and pay what it takes. If not, another pivot awaits – perhaps back to Mbaye, perhaps to an entirely new name, perhaps to no one at all.

The window is closing. Liverpool’s attack still has a Salah‑shaped void on the right. The question now is whether Minteh is the player they’re willing to stake that position on, or if this late scramble ends with the door left conspicuously open.