Brighton & Hove Albion boss Fabian Hurzeler has hinted that Yankuba Minteh could finally get his move to Liverpool in 2027. The Reds were interested in the Brighton winger over the summer as they scoured the market for additions to their attacking line.
Mohamed Salah left the club as a free agent, moving to Trabzonspor, while Cody Gakpo was linked with Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City. Andoni Iraola brought in Bradley Barcola and Victor Munoz as reinforcements.
However, Liverpool also had their eye on Minteh. The 22-year-old, who traditionally operates on the right, has impressed in the Premier League since joining the Seagulls from Newcastle United two years ago.
£60m approach rejected
Having racked up 10 goals and nine assists in 73 appearances for Brighton, the Gambia international was a man in high demand this summer. Liverpool made an approach of around £60million for Minteh with hopes of further strengthening their attacking output, only to be knocked back by the South Coast side.
Brighton were also thought to be demanding more than £10m more to let Minteh leave the AMEX Stadium, reflecting his importance to the team. However, head coach Hurzeler has since revealed that Liverpool could get their man in 12 months' time.
The Austrian said this week: "If the whole team is successful, Yankuba will get a lot of attention again and he can then maybe fulfil his dream in the next transfer window."
Barcola set for debut
Hurzeler's words should be welcomed by Liverpool fans, although it remains to be seen whether the Reds will reignite their interest in Minteh in 2027. It comes as Barcola could make his Liverpool debut on Friday evening, with the club traveling to Portman Road to face Premier League new boys, Ipswich Town.
The 23-year-old was snapped up in a deal with Paris Saint-Germain worth as much as £123m at the end of the transfer window, and is expected to be utilised by Iraola as soon as possible. The Frenchman is coming off the back of an outstanding Ligue 1 campaign with Les Parisiens, scoring 11 goals and providing two assists domestically.
Barcola also played a major part in PSG's Champions League-winning campaign, contributing two further goals and four assists under the bright lights of Europe. However, with Gakpo remaining at the club until at least January, it remains to be seen whether Iraola will utilise Barcola on his natural left or his inverted right. All should be revealed at 8pm, when the Reds take on the Tractor Boys away from home.
