Liverpool Approach Brighton for Yankuba Minteh as Salah Replacement Search Widens

Liverpool have made an approach to Brighton for winger Yankuba Minteh as the club works to rebuild its wide attacking options following the departure of Mohamed Salah (BBC Sport).

Minteh, a 22-year-old Gambia international, joined Brighton from Newcastle for £30m in 2024 and has since scored 10 goals and provided nine assists in 73 appearances for the Seagulls. He operates primarily on the right wing — the flank Salah made his own during years of relentless scoring at Anfield — and Liverpool have identified him as a target who could help fill the void.

The timing carries a complication. Minteh is recovering from a leg injury sustained in a friendly against Roma earlier this month. Brighton head coach Fabian Hurzeler said the injury would keep the winger out "for a long period" (BBC Sport), and The Athletic reports the club expect him to be sidelined for two to three months (The Athletic).

Brighton are likely to seek a fee between £70m and £80m for a player who still has three years left on his contract (Yahoo Sports). That would represent a substantial profit on the £30m Brighton paid Newcastle two years ago, though well short of the figures swirling around Liverpool's other major wide-attacker target.

Paris St-Germain's Bradley Barcola remains the priority signing for Liverpool, but the two clubs are far apart on valuation. PSG are holding out for roughly £145m, while Liverpool would prefer a deal closer to £100m (BBC Sport). Barcola is reportedly open to a move to Anfield, which at least keeps the door ajar — but bridging a £45m gap before the transfer window closes is a tall order.

Liverpool have already moved to strengthen their attacking ranks this summer, signing Victor Munoz from Osasuna for £34m. Munoz can play as a winger or through the middle as a central striker, giving the squad flexibility. But with Salah gone, the need for genuine width and direct goal threat from the flanks is acute.

Minteh showed flashes of that threat during his time at Brighton. He scored six goals in 32 league appearances in his debut season — a campaign he described as "successful" (BBC Sport) — and added moments of genuine quality, including a goal at Sunderland in March where he wriggled past Granit Xhaka before slicing an unorthodox cross into the net (BBC Sport). He also caused Liverpool problems during a match at Anfield last December, playing a central role in Brighton's attacking play.

For fans, the appeal is straightforward: a young, direct winger with Premier League experience and room to grow. The concerns are equally clear — a significant fee for a player currently injured, and a club in Brighton who have no reason to sell cheaply.

Liverpool's approach is at an early stage. Whether it hardens into a formal bid before the window shuts may depend on what happens with Barcola and how quickly Minteh's recovery progresses.