Fabian Hurzeler is confident Brighton & Hove Albion can cope without Yankuba Minteh as the Gambia international continues to be the subject of interest from Liverpool. The winger has been sidelined since injuring his ankle in a pre-season friendly against AS Roma and undergoing surgery earlier this month.
That has not put the Reds off from pursuing the 22-year-old, with the Seagulls knocking back offers of £50m and £60m from Liverpool as they instead hold out for a fee in excess of £70m.
Hurzeler's injury update
Hurzeler had already confirmed that Brighton expect to be without Minteh for a 'long period' following his injury, with reports suggesting he could be out of action for two to three months.
And while the German has since reiterated the forward's importance to Brighton, he has left the door ajar for Minteh to move on after seeing his side thrash Aston Villa 4-0 in their opening Premier League game of the season.
“We know that he has an issue with his ankle,” he said when offering an injury update on the winger. “We have to see how the next weeks are going, how this will develop because, of course, he is an important player for us.
“But we saw today we are able to replace him. It is very important that we don’t rely on one player.
“Of course, these kinds of players are so important. One against one, good speed. But, in the end, you need to face adversity. You need to find solutions as a team and that is what my team did today.
“Hopefully, Yankuba comes back as quick as possible.”
Transfer window uncertainty
With Carlos Baleba also closing in on a move to Manchester United, Hurzeler had conceded Brighton were always prepared for the possibility that both players could move on this summer as Liverpool weigh up whether to make an improved bid.
“They're important players for us, because they were a big part of our journey over the last two years,” he said last week. “But, in football, we all have to understand that it's normal if you're successful as a team, if the team is doing well, then the individual can shine, and then there will be a big ask for our players.
“That's part of our identity. That's part of my job here. And that was clear for everyone that this this might happen during a busy transfer window.
“We all know how important these kind of players are for me, but good achievements create offers and a lot of attention, and so therefore we have to wait now.
“The situation will evolve. I'm not here to complain, I'm here to find solutions. And with my players I'm sure we will find good solutions.”
