Brighton reject Liverpool's new £60m Minteh bid

Liverpool's pursuit of winger Yankuba Minteh has hit another snag as Brighton rejected an improved £60 million offer. The south coast club is reportedly holding out for a fee closer to £70 million for the 22-year-old Gambian international.

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As a manager, this is an easy one for me. I wanted the players for the first day on 13 July - everyone here and all the positions doubled with top-level players. But you understand how the competition works, that [the] market is open and you start the competition. We have to adapt as coaches to this situation. I hate these two weeks or these 10 days that we have because there is a lot of uncertainty - but not in Liverpool, everywhere. But we have to adapt.

Manager Andoni Iraola acknowledged the team's current shortage of wingers for the upcoming season. However, he conveyed confidence that the club will secure necessary reinforcements before the transfer window closes. This follows an earlier £50 million bid for Minteh that was also turned down.

Minteh, who joined Brighton from Newcastle for £30 million in 2024, has been a consistent performer, scoring 10 goals and providing nine assists in 73 appearances. Liverpool is also exploring other options, including Paris Saint-Germain's Ibrahim Mbaye, though Bradley Barcola remains their top priority.

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You are asking me what we need - there are certain situations that for me are clear - especially now on the wing because we don't have enough players specific to play in those positions. And then in other positions, I think we have to be open-minded in the market to see situations that honestly can improve our team. It's not about signing because we need a player here. No, it's about improving the squad. And we have very good players already here, so to improve our very good players, you need like a specific level of player, yes.

Iraola has been vocal about the team's needs, stating, "especially now on the wing because we don't have enough players specific to play in those positions." He emphasized that any new signings must genuinely improve the squad, not just fill a gap. "It's not about signing because we need a player here. No, it's about improving the squad," he explained, highlighting the high standard required to surpass the existing talent.

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We will definitely sign some players. Some deals you have to wait until the end. But the end is the important picture, the one we will have on September 1. Because it is true that we are still quite thin.