Liverpool don’t appear to be giving up on Yankuba Minteh.
The Reds have already seen a £50m bid rejected by Brighton, but according to Mail Sport, Liverpool are expected to return with an improved offer for the 22-year-old winger.
It would represent another major development in Liverpool’s search for attacking reinforcements before the transfer window closes.
Liverpool aren’t giving up on Minteh
A £50m offer is hardly a tentative enquiry.
Liverpool clearly believe Minteh is worth serious money, and the fact they are reportedly preparing to go back with an improved proposal suggests the club aren’t prepared to simply walk away after Brighton’s rejection.
Minteh has also reportedly been open to the possibility of moving to Anfield if the two clubs can agree a fee.
That could potentially help Liverpool’s position.
But Brighton have already shown that they aren’t going to make things easy.
Brighton hold the cards
Minteh is under contract with Brighton until 2029, giving the Seagulls a strong negotiating position.
They have already rejected £50m, so Liverpool will have to decide just how far they are prepared to go.
And that’s where I think this transfer becomes fascinating.
Liverpool have already spent heavily this summer.
They have also been pursuing Bradley Barcola and Ibrahim Mbaye.
So are they prepared to spend potentially £60m or more on Minteh, particularly when he won’t be available immediately?
The injury is a major factor
There’s no getting around it.
Minteh is currently injured after undergoing surgery on his right leg and is expected to be out until around October.
That means Liverpool could potentially be spending a huge amount of money on a player who won’t be able to help Iraola immediately.
But perhaps Liverpool are looking beyond the next few weeks.
At 22, Minteh still has plenty of room to develop, and he already has Premier League experience.
He’s also a player who can provide something Liverpool desperately need:
Pace and directness.
A potential Salah replacement?
Minteh primarily operates from the right wing and is left-footed, which makes the comparison with Mohamed Salah particularly obvious.
Nobody should expect him to simply replace Salah.
That’s an impossible standard.
But Liverpool need another player capable of attacking from the right, carrying the ball at speed and creating problems for defenders.
Minteh fits that profile.
He has already made 66 Premier League appearances and contributed nine goals and eight assists, according to reports.
There is clearly more to come from him.
What happened to Ibrahim Mbaye?
The latest report also provides an interesting explanation for why Liverpool have turned their attention towards Minteh.
Mail Sport says the Reds reverted to the Brighton winger after considering Ibrahim Mbaye too expensive.
That doesn’t necessarily mean Liverpool have completely abandoned Mbaye.
But it suggests Liverpool are weighing up their options carefully.
If PSG’s valuation is considered excessive, Liverpool may see Minteh as a more attainable alternative.
This transfer window is getting serious
Liverpool need more attacking depth.
That’s becoming increasingly obvious.
The club have already signed Victor Muñoz, but they continue to look for further reinforcements.
Barcola remains an obvious target.
Mbaye has also been heavily linked.
And now Liverpool are preparing to go back in for Minteh.
It shows that the recruitment team are exploring multiple routes rather than putting all their eggs in one basket.
Liverpool have made their first move.
Brighton said no.
Now Liverpool are reportedly preparing to ask the question again — with more money.
The biggest question is how high Liverpool are prepared to go.
Because if Brighton reject another improved offer, the Reds will have to decide whether Minteh is worth pushing the boat out for.
Personally, I like the player.
But with a serious injury keeping him out until October, Liverpool need to make sure they aren’t paying an enormous premium simply because the transfer window is closing.
The interest is clearly serious.
Now we wait to see just how much Liverpool are prepared to pay.
Source: Mail Sport
Jamie (The Kopite View)
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