Liverpool Must Make a Big Decision on Yankuba Minteh

Liverpool’s pursuit of Yankuba Minteh has reached a crucial point.

According to journalist Ben Jacobs, Liverpool are now “deciding today” whether to continue their pursuit of the Brighton winger and make a third bid. Fresh talks between the two clubs have taken place as Liverpool weigh up their next move.

And I think this is a decision Liverpool need to get right.

Brighton have already rejected two bids

Liverpool have already tested Brighton’s resolve.

The Reds’ initial £50m offer was rejected, before Brighton also turned down a second bid worth around £60m. Brighton’s position is believed to be that they want closer to £70m for Minteh.

That leaves Liverpool with a choice.

Pay Brighton’s asking price.

Try one final time with a slightly improved offer.

Or walk away and move on to another target.

Liverpool desperately need another winger

The Newcastle game only strengthened the argument for another attacking signing.

Liverpool dominated possession but still struggled to create enough danger consistently.

Alexander Isak was isolated.

Rio Ngumoha struggled to influence the game.

And Cody Gakpo ended up being Liverpool’s most dangerous attacker.

Liverpool need pace, directness and someone capable of stretching defences.

Minteh certainly offers those qualities.

And he has the advantage of already having Premier League experience.

But is £70m too much?

This is where I would have some reservations.

Liverpool reportedly believe they can get Minteh for less than Brighton’s £70m valuation, with Jacobs suggesting that £65m could be considered before Liverpool potentially make a final decision.

That’s a significant amount of money for a player who is currently injured and expected to be out for a number of weeks.

Liverpool also have other options.

Ibrahim Mbaye is reportedly valued by PSG at around €70m, while the Reds are simultaneously pursuing the much more expensive Bradley Barcola.

So Liverpool don’t have to put all their eggs in the Minteh basket.

But sometimes you have to pay for what you need

There is another side to this.

Liverpool have made it very clear that strengthening the wide areas is a priority.

They need another winger.

And with the season already underway, waiting too long could be more costly than paying an extra few million pounds.

We saw against Newcastle how important it is for Liverpool to have attacking alternatives.

The Reds shouldn’t spend weeks negotiating over a relatively small gap if they genuinely believe Minteh is the right player for Iraola.

The next bid could be decisive

Jacobs has suggested that if Liverpool make another offer, it could effectively be their final bid. Brighton would reportedly accept £70m, while Liverpool may first consider something around £65m.

That makes the next few days fascinating.

Does Liverpool blink first?

Does Brighton reduce their demands?

Or do the Reds decide that another target represents better value?

Liverpool need to make the right call

Personally, I wouldn’t pay any price simply because Liverpool need a winger.

But I also wouldn’t allow a relatively small difference to prevent the club from signing a player they genuinely believe can improve the team.

The Newcastle draw showed that Liverpool’s attack still needs more pace and creativity.

Minteh could provide it.

But if Liverpool don’t believe he’s worth £70m, they need to walk away decisively and move onto their alternative.

The worst outcome would be spending another week going backwards and forwards while Liverpool’s squad remains short of attacking options.

Liverpool are deciding today.

Whatever they decide, they need to make sure it’s a decision that improves Iraola’s squad — because the clock is ticking.

Jamie (The Kopite View)