Brighton & Hove Albion have firmly declined a £60 million proposal from Liverpool for their promising young winger Yankuba Minteh. According to sources at Sky Sports News, the Merseyside club’s latest bid fell short of the price Brighton consider appropriate, especially after a previous £50 million attempt for the 22‑year‑old was also rejected. Minteh’s current unavailability due to a lingering injury further complicates matters.
Medical reports suggest the winger will remain sidelined until at least October, meaning Liverpool would have to wait several months before seeing him in action. Brighton’s own squad is also missing key wide‑player Kaoru Mitoma, who has been out of training since May with a hamstring problem, adding depth concerns to the Seagulls’ side. The south‑coast club is simultaneously engaged in talks with Manchester United regarding a potential sale of midfielder Carlos Baleba. Negotiations are reportedly nearing a conclusion, with a deal rumored to exceed £60 million, indicating Brighton’s willingness to cash in on talent while rebuilding their roster.
For Liverpool, bolstering the flanks has been a top priority throughout this transfer window. The Reds already secured Victor Muñoz from Osasuna earlier in the summer, and Minteh has emerged as a viable candidate to complement that acquisition. Liverpool’s scouting network has been actively evaluating a range of options for wide‑forward roles, and Minteh’s blend of pace, technical skill, and goal‑scoring instincts makes him an attractive prospect. Beyond Minteh, Liverpool have also been linked with Bradley Barcola of Paris Saint‑Germain.
The French club values Barcola at roughly £145 million, a figure that Liverpool appear reluctant to meet at present, further narrowing their focus on more affordable alternatives such as the Brighton winger. Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler addressed the mounting transfer speculation ahead of the club’s season‑opening fixture against Aston Villa. Speaking on Sky Sports, he acknowledged that success on the pitch inevitably draws attention from larger clubs. "All of the players who are being linked are important to us," Hurzeler said.
"They have contributed significantly over the past two seasons, and when a team performs well, there is naturally a heightened demand for its talent. That is part of the job and part of our identity as a club." He continued, "We can list each player individually and recognise their value, but great achievements attract interest. We simply have to manage the situation as it evolves.
I’m not here to complain; I’m here to find solutions for the club." The Seagulls have already seen two of their key players depart this window: defender Jan Paul van Hecke moved to Tottenham Hotspur, and forward Danny Welbeck transferred to Chelsea. Minteh and Baleba now join that list of Brighton assets attracting suitors, underscoring the club’s reputation as a breeding ground for emerging talent. In summary, Liverpool’s £60 million offer for Yankuba Minteh has been turned down, with Brighton holding out for a valuation that reflects the player’s potential and the club’s strategic plans.
While the winger remains injured until October, his future remains a hot topic in the transfer market, and any eventual move will likely involve careful negotiation to satisfy both clubs’ financial expectations. The ongoing discussions surrounding Carlos Baleba’s possible switch to Manchester United further illustrate Brighton’s active role in shaping its squad and financial outlook during this busy summer period.