£30m forward wants to join Liverpool this summer

£30m forward wants to join Liverpool this summer Liverpool See £50m Yankuba Minteh Bid Rejected as Brighton Hold Firm Liverpool have seen an opening £50m offer for Yankuba Minteh rejected by Brighton, with the Merseyside club continuing their search for a right-sided forward before the transfer window closes. As first reported by The Guardian , the 22-year-old has emerged as a serious target as Liverpool work through their attacking shortlist under sporting director Richard Hughes and head coach Andoni Iraola. The situation is straightforward on the surface. Liverpool have made a concrete move, Brighton have turned it down, and the player is understood to be receptive to the prospect of joining Anfield. From Liverpool’s perspective, that combination tends to keep a deal alive, even if the first approach has failed. Liverpool transfer priority on right wing The need is obvious. Liverpool entered this window requiring a starting level option on the right side of attack following Mohamed Salah’s departure earlier this summer. It is a position that has lacked certainty, and one that has clearly been prioritised internally. Minteh fits a profile Liverpool value, a young, explosive wide player with Premier League experience, development upside and familiarity with high-intensity football. His previous rise at Feyenoord, where he impressed during Arne Slot’s time there, ensured he was already well known to key figures around the club before this latest move. Photo: IMAGO He has since gone on to establish himself in England and, according to the report, “Minteh has scored nine goals in 66 Premier League appearances since joining Brighton from Newcastle for £30m two years ago and is reportedly open to becoming a Liverpool player,” a detail that gives the story further significance. Brighton stance leaves Richard Hughes with decision Brighton’s rejection does not automatically close the door. Clubs in Liverpool’s position regularly test the market with an initial bid before deciding whether valuation gaps can be bridged. The next move now rests with Hughes and Liverpool’s recruitment team, who must determine whether Minteh is the player worth pushing harder for, or whether attention should shift elsewhere. That assessment will also be shaped by timing. Minteh is currently sidelined after suffering an injury in a pre-season friendly against Roma, an issue that required surgery. He is not expected back for around two to three months, which complicates the equation for a club looking for immediate impact in a key attacking role. For that reason, any deal would likely be framed as a medium to long-term investment rather than an instant fix. Liverpool know the position needs solving, but they also have to weigh price, availability and short-term readiness. Yankuba Minteh interest reflects wider Liverpool plan There is also context around other targets. Liverpool have explored multiple options for the right flank, and uncertainty around alternative pursuits has increased the relevance of Minteh. That does not mean he is the only name under consideration, but it does suggest he is firmly in the conversation. What happens next may depend on how strongly Liverpool rate him against the rest of the market. Brighton have made their position clear with the first rejection. Liverpool now decide whether to return with improved terms and test that resolve again. Our View From a Liverpool supporter’s perspective, this feels like a story to watch closely. The key part is not only that Liverpool bid, but that Minteh appears open to the move. Once those two pieces are in place, fans will naturally wonder if this is heading towards a second offer and serious negotiations. There are reasons to like the fit. Minteh is quick, direct and already knows the Premier League, which matters when Liverpool are trying to reshape the attack under a new head coach. He also looks like the sort of signing who could grow into something far bigger over time, rather than arriving as a finished product with little room left to develop. At the same time, the injury cannot be ignored. If Liverpool need someone to walk straight into the side, then paying big money for a player who may miss the opening stretch is a risk. Supporters will understand the logic of planning for the future, but they will also want to see the squad equipped for the present. The wider issue is that Liverpool still need a reliable answer on the right wing. That has been clear for weeks. If the club believe Minteh is the right talent, then there is a strong case for going back in with a better bid. If Brighton’s demands climb too high, then Liverpool must be equally decisive in moving on. Either way, this is a position that needs clarity, and soon.