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 price tag the Seagulls have placed on the 22‑year‑old, especially after Liverpool’s earlier attempt of £50 million was also rejected.
Minteh is currently sidelined with an injury that is expected to keep him out of action until around October. The club is also coping with the loss of Kaoru Mitoma, who has been out since May after suffering a hamstring problem. These absences have left Brighton short of options on the flanks, a situation that Liverpool has been keen to exploit during this transfer window.
In addition to the Minteh saga, Brighton are reportedly in advanced negotiations with Manchester United regarding the possible departure of midfield prospect Carlos Baleba. Sources say a deal exceeding £60 million is close to being finalised, indicating that the Seagulls could see another significant outflow of talent before the season gets fully underway.
Liverpool’s transfer strategy this summer has centred on bolstering their wide‑forward positions. The club already secured Victor Muñoz from Osasuna earlier in the window and has kept Minteh high on their list as a potential addition.
The Reds have also been linked with Bradley Barcola of Paris Saint‑Germain, maintaining an ongoing dialogue with the French side. However, PSG have placed a steep £145 million valuation on Barcola, a figure Liverpool are reluctant to meet at present. The pursuit of Minteh fits into Liverpool’s broader plan to inject pace and creativity into their attacking third. The winger’s blend of speed, technical ability and eye‑for‑goal makes him an attractive prospect for a team that has struggled at times to produce consistent width and cutting‑edge service from the wings.
Yet Brighton’s refusal to accept the £60 million bid underscores their belief that Minteh’s market value remains higher, especially given his age, potential and the club’s recent success in developing young talent. Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler addressed the growing transfer speculation in a pre‑match interview ahead of the team’s opening fixture against Aston Villa. He acknowledged that rumours are a natural by‑product of a club that has performed well over the past two seasons.
"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." He went on to stress that while each individual player is valued, the club must remain pragmatic in dealing with interest from larger clubs. "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," Hurzeler added.
The Seagulls have already seen two key squad members depart this window: centre‑back Jan Paul van Hecke moved to Tottenham Hotspur, and forward Danny Welbeck transferred to Chelsea. The potential exits of Minteh and Baleba would mark the latest in a series of high‑profile departures, highlighting the challenge Brighton face in retaining their top talent while competing financially with Premier League giants. From Liverpool’s perspective, securing Minteh would not only provide a fresh attacking outlet but also serve as a statement of intent that the club is still willing to invest heavily in the squad despite recent financial constraints.
The Reds have been active in the market, and their pursuit of both Minteh and Barcola signals a clear desire to refresh their wing options ahead of a demanding season. Meanwhile, Brighton’s refusal to accept the £60 million offer reflects a broader trend among smaller Premier League clubs to hold out for valuations that match their developmental investments.
The club’s scouting network has identified Baleba as a future midfield mainstay, and the potential sale to Manchester United could bring in a substantial windfall that may be reinvested in the squad. In summary, Liverpool’s £60 million bid for Yankuba Minteh has been declined by Brighton, who believe the winger’s worth exceeds the current offer. With Minteh sidelined until October and Mitoma also out injured, Brighton must navigate a period of limited squad depth on the flanks.
At the same time, the club is nearing a deal with Manchester United for Carlos Baleba, potentially adding another six‑figure sum to their coffers. Liverpool continues to explore options to strengthen their wide‑area options, keeping an eye on both Minteh and Barcola, though the latter’s price tag remains a significant hurdle. The transfer market remains fluid, and both clubs will need to adapt their strategies as negotiations progress.