Liverpool's Pursuit of Yankuba Minteh: A Transfer Saga Unfolds

Liverpool’s chase for Yankuba Minteh is turning into a full-scale transfer saga, with the Brighton winger giving the green light to Anfield – but his club refusing to budge.

Minteh says yes – Brighton say no

The message from the player is clear. As Fabrizio Romano revealed, Liverpool and Yankuba Minteh have reached a broad verbal agreement on personal terms, with the Gambian winger saying yes to the Liverpool project. The path from the player’s side is open.

The problem lies at Brighton’s end.

Liverpool first tested the water with a £50million offer. Brighton turned it down. The Reds came back again, harder, with a £60million bid. That, too, was rejected, as Gambian journalist Foday Manneh first reported, before Romano backed up the story.

So Liverpool have their man in principle. They just don’t have him in reality.

Brighton hold their ground

Brighton have made a habit of driving a hard bargain in the transfer market, and Minteh is the latest example. Two bids in, two bids rejected, and no sign yet of the south coast club softening.

Both clubs are still talking, and there is optimism from both sides that an agreement can eventually be found. But the figure required to unlock the deal is now anyone’s guess.

Before the second offer went in, it was widely suggested that around £60million might be enough to tempt Brighton into a sale. That theory has not survived contact with reality.

Barcola still the priority

All this is happening while Liverpool juggle other options for the wing.

Ben Jacobs has outlined the hierarchy. Bradley Barcola remains the top target – the “must-get” option if there’s any way to pull it off. Minteh has been on the list for some time, but he is not simply one half of a neat one-two with Barcola.

Behind Barcola, Liverpool have three or four names they have already asked about and even bid for. Minteh is firmly among them, but not necessarily the undisputed Plan B.

Still, the fact Liverpool have gone to £60million for him shows how serious the interest has become.

Third bid looming

Talks are continuing, and all signs point towards Liverpool returning with a third offer for Minteh. What that bid looks like, nobody around the deal is willing to nail down publicly.

What is clear is this: if Liverpool thought Minteh would be an easier deal to close than Barcola, they have been disabused of that notion. Brighton are holding firm, the price keeps edging upwards, and the clock is quietly ticking on Liverpool’s wide-forward rebuild.

How far are they really prepared to go for a winger who has already said yes?