Brighton winger Yankuba Minteh still wants to join Liverpool despite missing out on a move to Anfield during the summer transfer window. The Reds were unwilling to meet the Seagulls' demands as they looked to strengthen their squad.
Failed bids and injury setback
Liverpool saw two bids rejected for the 22-year-old, including one worth £60 million. Brighton set an asking price of £70 million before increasing it to £80 million late in the window. The Premier League rivals remained firm in their stance even after Minteh suffered an injury that ruled him out for the opening months of the season.
Andoni Iraola saw Bradley Barcola and Victor Munoz arrive over the summer, but was not provided with a specialist figure for the right side of attack, a role that Minteh would have been able to fulfil.
Minteh's focus on recovery
In recent days, Minteh has said he is concentrating on returning from injury for Brighton and that a transfer was not at the front of his mind.
"I am focused. I am in Brighton. That is the team I am playing for," he told GRTS. "That is my team and I don't want to talk much about transfers. What God has decided for me, I am happy with it."
"I am really, really eager to come back and help my team because they are doing good at the moment, but if I come back I will do my best to help them."
Expert believes Liverpool move remains possible
Nevertheless, it seems that he has some desire to make a move to Liverpool. Gambian football expert Baboucarr Fallaboweh believes the former Newcastle and Feyenoord winger will be hopeful of the Reds returning.
"I think Liverpool," Fallaboweh told Sport Witness. "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, why Liverpool were after him."
"But the overall situation, even if he moves, I don't think he will move outside the Premier League. Manchester United can come banging on their doors."
"It's a big win for him to be associated with Liverpool. So, it gives other big European clubs around the world to take a closer look at him now that they know Brighton's actual price. So, it will be easier for them to explore it."
