Liverpool failed to secure the signing of Brighton & Hove Albion winger Yankuba Minteh on deadline day after a late fitness issue and a significant valuation gap derailed the proposed transfer. According to reports from Sacha Tavolieri at Sky Sport Switzerland, the Anfield club held advanced discussions to bring the 22-year-old Gambia international to Merseyside in the final hours of the summer window, but the deal was ultimately abandoned. The club's interest was motivated by a need to identify a long-term successor to Mohamed Salah, with the player's potential for development being a primary factor in the scouting process.
Valuation dispute and injury concerns
The negotiations were hampered by the player's physical condition and competing financial expectations. Minteh sustained an injury to his leg and ankle during a pre-season match against AS Roma on 8 August 2026. Following the incident, Brighton manager Fabian Hürzeler noted the requirement for medical assessment, and subsequent reports from ReadBrighton indicated a recovery timeline of two to three months, extending into late October or early November. This unavailability directly influenced Liverpool's decision-making. Simultaneously, the two clubs remained apart on the financial terms of the deal. While Liverpool submitted offers reaching £50 million, as reported by the BBC, Brighton maintained an asking price in the region of £80 million. Sources including Ben Jacobs for TalkSport indicated that this figure proved insurmountable for the Anfield hierarchy, who were unwilling to commit such an outlay for a player immediately sidelined.
Squad adjustments and tactical fit
The pursuit of Minteh formed part of a wider strategic review of Liverpool's attacking options under manager Andoni Iraola. Earlier in the summer, the club signed Victor Munoz from Osasuna for a reported £34 million, though the team continued to look for specific reinforcement on the right flank. In Minteh’s absence, Brighton manager Fabian Hürzeler has been forced to adapt his tactical setup, utilising central midfielders such as Diego Gómez and Mats Wieffer to provide cover on the right side. This necessitated the use of personnel outside of their natural roles, a stop-gap measure that underscores the specific, specialist profile Minteh offers in terms of pace and directness. Analytics provided by SciSports, which rates Minteh’s potential SciSkill at 140.1, highlight why the recruitment team viewed him as a long-term prospect rather than an immediate replacement.
Prospects for a future return
Despite the collapse of the summer deal, the potential for Liverpool to return for the winger remains a subject of discussion. Commenting on the situation, Gambian journalist Foday Manneh suggested that a move in the January transfer window is not definitively off the table, provided the player demonstrates full fitness upon his return. Liverpool's interest is understood to remain contingent on both Minteh’s match readiness and potential outgoing transfer activity at Anfield, with speculation regarding Cody Gakpo's future potentially impacting the club's winter priorities. The recruitment team is expected to monitor the player’s progress closely as they approach the next window.
