Brighton face fresh Yankuba Minteh transfer dilemma as Liverpool door remains open
Brighton & Hove Albion could face another major transfer decision over Yankuba Minteh in January, with Liverpool’s interest in the winger refusing to completely disappear after their failed summer pursuit.
The Seagulls stood firm when Liverpool tested their resolve during the summer transfer window, rejecting two bids for the 22-year-old Gambia international.
Liverpool initially offered £50 million before returning with an improved £60 million proposal. Brighton rejected both offers, with the club understood to have been looking for a figure closer to £70 million.
At the time, the decision appeared to settle Minteh’s immediate future. However, comments from Brighton head coach Fabian Hürzeler have added an intriguing twist to the situation.
Hürzeler leaves the door open
Hürzeler made it clear that Minteh remains committed to Brighton, but he also acknowledged that the winger could eventually get the move he wants if he continues to impress.
The Brighton boss suggested that if the team performs well and Minteh shines individually, the player could attract significant attention again and potentially fulfil his dream move in a future transfer window.
That could prove particularly significant when the January window opens.
Liverpool’s interest was not casual. The Reds were actively looking for attacking reinforcements and saw Minteh as one of their options after Mohamed Salah’s departure. Their willingness to go as high as £60 million demonstrated the level of interest in the Brighton winger.
Why Liverpool could come back
Liverpool eventually turned their attention elsewhere after Brighton rejected their offers, but reports have continued to suggest that a January approach cannot be ruled out.
Sport Witness reported in September that a Liverpool return for Minteh in January remained possible, although Brighton’s valuation and the player’s fitness situation could influence any future negotiations.
Minteh’s profile also makes the situation particularly interesting.
The winger joined Brighton from Newcastle United in 2024 for around £30 million and has recorded 10 goals and nine assists in 73 appearances for the club.
Brighton therefore have little reason to rush into a sale.
Brighton have already shown they will stand firm
The Seagulls have become one of the Premier League’s most effective clubs when it comes to developing players and eventually commanding significant transfer fees.
That makes Minteh’s situation different from a typical player-transfer story.
Brighton have already rejected £110 million in combined offers for him this summer. If Liverpool return in January, the Seagulls could once again demand a substantial fee rather than simply accepting the biggest offer on the table.
And if Minteh returns from his injury and hits the ground running, his value could potentially rise even further.
The big question for Brighton
For Hürzeler, the challenge will be balancing the club’s ambitions with the reality of Minteh’s growing reputation.
Brighton will not want to lose another important player midway through the season, particularly if they remain involved in multiple competitions and are pushing for a strong Premier League finish.
But if Liverpool return with a significantly improved offer, the situation could become much harder to ignore.
For now, Minteh remains a Brighton player.
However, with Liverpool having already shown their willingness to pay big money and Hürzeler acknowledging that the winger could still fulfil his dream move in the future, the January transfer window could bring another chapter to the story.
And this time, Brighton may have an even bigger decision to make.