Imagine Him and Barcola: Yankuba Minteh Wants to Join Liverpool

· GiveMeSport

It would be a brilliant transfer for Liverpool and Andoni Iraola

Liverpool have made a solid start to the season and while Andoni Iraola would have loved to have turned some draws into wins, he will also be satisfied that they are still unbeaten heading into October.

Liverpool made some big signings during the summer, none more so than Bradley Barcola from Paris Saint-Germain, while Jeremy Jacquet looks like an inspired addition to their backline.

Iraola will feel that his squad is still light in areas though, particularly in the full-back positions and in attack, despite the arrival of Barcola and Victor Munoz.

The Merseyside outfit have a lot of options on the left wing after Cody Gakpo also remained at Anfield, but they are lacking natural options on the right-hand side.

The Reds have just been hit with the news that Gakpo will be out for 'several weeks' after suffering an injury while representing the Netherlands on international duty, while Alexander Isak has also picked up an issue after being called up by Sweden.

With Hugo Ekitike unlikely to return until 2027 after rupturing his Achilles against PSG last season, Iraola could be left short in the next weeks and will give more minutes to the likes of Rio Ngumoha and Lewis Koumas.

Julian Ward's 2027 Liverpool Transfer Priorities:

The majority of Liverpool's wingers prefer to play from the left, and finding a wide man who primarily plays from the opposite flank will be one of the priorities for new sporting director Julian Ward in 2027.

Effectively, the Reds are yet to effectively replace Mohamed Salah on the right following his summer exit to Trabzonspor, but one player is making it clear that he wants to move to Anfield, having come close to doing so in the summer.

Gambian journalist Baboucarr Fallaboweh recently said that Brighton and Hove Albion forward Yankuba Minteh is keen to join the Merseysiders.

> I think Liverpool. He will still want to go to Liverpool. Depending on [how] Liverpool will activate that desire to still have him.

> “Because right now, his situation has not been helped because he is injured. If not, then you could have more justification for him to showcase his performance and why Liverpool were after him.”

Liverpool were heavily linked with a move for Crystal Palace winger Ismaila Sarr in the final days of the summer transfer window, but once it became clear that a move wasn't going to happen, talk about Brighton's Minteh ramped up.

One of the issues for the Reds was trying to find an agreement on a price for the Gambian international with the Seagulls, who are well known for being one of the toughest negotiators in the Premier League.

GIVEMESPORT senior correspondent Ben Jacobs claimed that Minteh and his representatives were hopeful of completing a move to Anfield on September 1 even after the decision by the club to keep Gakpo, who at one stage had looked set to complete a £85m move to Manchester City.

Jacobs revealed that Brighton wanted £80m for the explosive winger, but a move couldn't be completed.

It would be no surprise if the 22-year-old still wants the move, and he, Isak and Barcola would form a frightening front three given their pace and skill.

Liverpool's £35m deal to sign Alexis Mac Allister from Brighton in 2023 will go down as one of their best-value transfers in recent years, given the Argentina international has gone on to play a vital role in midfield and during the Premier League title-winning season.

Minteh has all the exciting attributes to do the same in a red shirt, and has the potential to replicate what Sadio Mane did at Anfield given his pace, and if he can further improve his goal contribution numbers.

Minteh (Premier League 2025-26)

- Appearances: 34 - Minutes: 2,401 - Top speed: 36.2 km/h - Sprints: 555 - Goals: 3 - Assists: 4

What is also clear is that Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler is a big fan of the youngster, and he believes if he can improve certain aspects of his game, then he has a huge future ahead of him.

> He has a quality not a lot of players have, and I'm really happy for him.

> "He was waiting for his chance, and he used it in a really positive way.

> “We have to work with him to keep doing unpredictable things offensively but staying more reliable defensively - to keep doing the easy things right in our half. He understands now more and more what it needs to work for the team."

He is considered the most talented player in Liverpool's academy

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