Report: Liverpool would have to pay £70m to sign Premier League forward | OneFootball

Liverpool Transfer News: Yankuba Minteh Monitoring Fits Summer Wing Rebuild

Liverpool’s search for another frontline addition is gathering shape, with wide areas clearly a priority as planning continues for the post-Mohamed Salah era. As first reported by Liverpool Echo, Brighton winger Yankuba Minteh is among the names being tracked, a development that feels credible within the wider direction of this window.

The recruitment logic is straightforward. Liverpool want more speed, more one-v-one threat and greater flexibility across the front line. Víctor Munoz has already arrived from Osasuna, but there remains an appetite for a more established option capable of impacting Premier League matches quickly. That requirement has driven links with Yan Diomande, though Paris Saint-Germain are understood to be well placed there, prompting Liverpool to assess alternative targets.

Minteh fits several of the desired markers. He is young, explosive and proven in England, while still carrying the sense that there is more to come. His numbers from last season support the profile. He posted a top speed of 36.11 km/h against Manchester City, underlining the raw pace Liverpool value in transition. He also averaged 1.9 successful dribbles per game, a return that placed him among the more effective ball-carrying wingers in the division.

Photo: IMAGO

Minteh Profile Appeals to Liverpool Recruitment

There is, of course, a financial question. Brighton are likely to seek somewhere in the region of £70m to £80m, which would place Minteh in the premium bracket for a player still developing his end product. Seven league goal involvements in 34 appearances is respectable, though it also points to the work still needed if he is to become a regular difference-maker at the very top level.

From Liverpool’s perspective, the contract situation matters too. Minteh has three years left on his Brighton deal, so there is no immediate pressure on his club to sell. One small detail that may help shape negotiations is the lack of a Newcastle sell-on clause after his earlier £30m move, meaning Brighton would not be sharing a future fee.

Minteh’s ambitions have been made public before. His agent, Bakary Bojang, said in October 2025: “Yankuba is happy at Brighton at the moment. He’s playing regularly and developing well, so he’s in the right place right now. “I can’t comment on any rumours at this point, out of respect for both the player and the clubs involved. However, as you know, every ambitious player dreams of competing at the highest level and playing for the biggest clubs in the world.”

Liverpool Wing Options Remain Open

At this stage, the situation appears to be one of active monitoring rather than advanced negotiations. Liverpool have options, and Minteh is one of the more intriguing because he can operate off either flank, attack space aggressively and stretch defensive lines. Whether that profile becomes a deal may depend on price, competition and how strongly the club push for a marquee winger before the market accelerates further.

Our View

Minteh feels like a player with a high ceiling, and you can see why the club would look closely at him. The pace is obvious, the direct running stands out, and there is a fearlessness to his game that would suit Anfield. When Liverpool have been at their best, their wide players have been able to attack defenders repeatedly and turn games chaotic in a positive way. Minteh looks capable of doing that.

At the same time, £70m to £80m feels huge for someone who is still putting the full package together. That is probably where supporters will hesitate. Liverpool need evolution in attack, but they also need certainty after a difficult campaign. If the club are spending at that level, fans will want a player ready to deliver big numbers, not only flashes and promise.

Still, there is a lot to like here. He is young enough to grow, experienced enough to contribute now and versatile enough to cover both wings. If Liverpool believe the coaching can sharpen his final ball and decision-making, this could be one of those moves that looks expensive at first and smart a year later. For now, it feels like a sensible name on a serious shortlist, even if there are understandable questions over value.