Brighton have turned away a £60 million proposal from Liverpool for their promising winger Yankuba Minteh. According to sources at Sky Sports News, the Merseyside club's offer fell short of the valuation that Brighton have set for the 22‑year‑old, especially after a previous attempt of £50 million was also rejected.
At present Minteh is sidelined with an injury that is expected to keep him out of action until around October. The Seagulls are also missing Kaoru Mitoma, who has been dealing with a hamstring problem since May and remains unavailable.
The south‑coast side are simultaneously engaged in talks with Manchester United over the possible sale of midfielder Carlos Baleba. Reports suggest that a deal exceeding £60 million is nearing completion, indicating Brighton's willingness to negotiate on high‑value transfers while still protecting their core squad.
Liverpool have made reinforcing their wide‑forward options a clear priority this window. Earlier in the transfer period they secured Victor Muñoz from Osasuna, and they continue to explore additional options to add pace and creativity to their flanks.
Minteh has emerged as one of the candidates Liverpool are monitoring closely. In addition to Minteh, Liverpool have been linked with Bradley Barcola from Paris Saint‑Germain. Negotiations with PSG are reportedly ongoing, but the French club’s asking price of around £145 million presents a significant hurdle, one that Liverpool are not prepared to meet at this stage. Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler addressed the speculation surrounding his players ahead of the club’s season‑opening match against Aston Villa, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports.
He acknowledged that the success Brighton have enjoyed over the past two seasons naturally draws interest from larger clubs. "All the players who are being linked are important to us and have contributed to our recent achievements," Hurzeler said. "When a team performs well, the demand for its players rises. That is part of the business and part of our identity." He added that the club will assess each situation individually and that the transfer market is fluid.
"I’m not here to complain; I’m here to find solutions," Hurzeler continued, emphasizing his pragmatic approach to managing both on‑field performance and off‑field negotiations. The Seagulls have already seen two of their squad members depart this window: defender Jan Paul van Hecke moved to Tottenham Hotspur, while forward Danny Welbeck joined Chelsea.
The departures, combined with the interest in Minteh and Baleba, underline the level of attention Brighton’s talent pool is attracting. Despite the interest, Brighton appear determined to retain key players or secure suitable compensation. Their stance on Minteh’s valuation suggests they believe the winger’s potential and current ability merit a price higher than Liverpool’s current offer. The club’s willingness to negotiate a substantial fee for Baleba with Manchester United further demonstrates a strategic approach to balancing squad depth with financial considerations.
In the broader context of the Premier League transfer market, Liverpool’s focus on wide players reflects a tactical shift under their current management, aiming to inject more dynamism on the wings. The acquisition of Victor Muñoz earlier in the window was a step in that direction, and the pursuit of Minteh signals a continued commitment to that strategy.
However, the financial constraints imposed by high valuations, such as PSG’s £145 million tag for Barcola, illustrate the challenges clubs face when targeting elite talent. For Brighton, the situation presents both an opportunity and a risk.
Successfully negotiating a lucrative deal for Baleba could provide funds to reinforce other areas of the squad, while retaining Minteh could bolster their attacking options for the upcoming season. Conversely, losing either player without adequate compensation could weaken their competitive edge.
As the transfer deadline approaches, fans will be watching closely to see how these negotiations unfold. Whether Liverpool will increase their offer for Minteh, whether Manchester United will finalize the Baleba deal, and how Brighton will manage their squad depth amid injuries will shape the early narrative of the Premier League campaign. In the meantime, Brighton’s coaching staff remain focused on preparing the team for the opening fixture against Aston Villa, hoping to translate their recent successes into a strong start to the new season.