Brighton have turned away a £60 million proposal from Liverpool for the talented winger Yankuba Minteh. According to sources at Sky Sports News, the offer fell short of the valuation set by the Seagulls, especially after Liverpool’s earlier attempt of £50 million for the 22‑year‑old failed to secure a deal. Minteh is currently sidelined with an injury that is expected to keep him out of action until around October, and Brighton are also missing Kaoru Mitoma, who has been nursing a hamstring problem since May.
The club’s transfer activity this summer has been busy. In addition to the Minteh saga, Brighton are reportedly in advanced negotiations with Manchester United over the possible sale of midfielder Carlos Baleba. Sources suggest that a deal exceeding £60 million is close to being finalised, indicating that the Seagulls could be cashing in on two of their most promising young assets.
Liverpool’s strategy during this window has clearly focused on strengthening their flanks. After securing Victor Muñoz from Osasuna earlier in the summer, the Reds have continued to hunt for additional options on the wings, with Minteh emerging as a key target.
The Merseyside club have also been linked with Bradley Barcola from Paris Saint‑Germain, maintaining an ongoing dialogue with the French champions. However, PSG have placed a hefty £145 million price tag on Barcola, a figure that Liverpool appear reluctant to meet at present. Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler addressed the growing speculation surrounding his squad ahead of the season‑opening match against Aston Villa, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports. He acknowledged that the club’s recent successes have inevitably attracted interest in several of his players.
"We know in general, all the players who there are rumours about are important players, they've been part of the journey over the last two years," Hurzeler said. "It's normal that if a team is doing well, then there will be a big ask for players. That's part of my job here, it's part of our identity." Hurzeler went on to stress that while each individual is valuable, the club must remain focused on its objectives.
"We can go through every individual player, we know how important they are but we know good achievements, big achievements, you create a lot of attention and therefore we have to wait now. The situation will evolve. I'm not here to complain, I'm here to find solutions," he added. The Seagulls have already seen two of their key figures depart this summer: centre‑back Jan Paul van Hecke moved to Tottenham Hotspur, and forward Danny Welbeck joined Chelsea.
The potential exits of Minteh and Baleba would add to that list, underscoring the challenge Brighton face in retaining talent while also balancing their financial position. Minteh’s injury situation adds another layer of complexity. The winger suffered a setback that is expected to keep him out until October, meaning Liverpool would be acquiring a player who cannot contribute immediately. This timing issue may have factored into Brighton’s decision to hold out for a higher fee, as the club likely values both the player’s long‑term potential and the immediate financial boost.
Meanwhile, Baleba’s rumored £60 million-plus price tag reflects Manchester United’s willingness to invest heavily in young midfield talent. If the deal goes through, it would represent another significant transfer out of Brighton, highlighting the club’s reputation as a breeding ground for emerging stars. Liverpool’s broader transfer agenda also includes monitoring other potential wide‑area options, but the club appears to be prioritising the acquisition of players who can add pace, creativity, and goal‑scoring threat to their attacking line‑up.
The addition of Minteh, if eventually secured, would complement Muñoz and provide manager Jürgen Klopp with more tactical flexibility. In summary, Brighton have rejected Liverpool’s £60 million bid for Yankuba Minteh, deeming it insufficient relative to their valuation. The club continues to negotiate a substantial offer for Carlos Baleba from Manchester United, while also coping with injury concerns for both Minteh and Mitoma.
Liverpool, on the other hand, remain active in the market, eyeing both Minteh and Bradley Barcola, though the latter’s £145 million price tag presents a significant hurdle. The upcoming season promises further developments as clubs finalize their squads and fans watch closely for any breakthrough transfers.