Brighton Rejects Liverpool's Bids for Yankuba Minteh

Brighton have turned away Liverpool’s money, but not Yankuba Minteh’s ambition.

Fabian Hurzeler confirmed the club rejected two sizeable bids from Liverpool for the 22-year-old winger this summer, insisting the Gambia international remains fully committed to Brighton – while accepting that a “dream” move could still lie in his future.

Liverpool tested Brighton’s resolve with offers of £50m and £60m as Andoni Iraola pushed to strengthen his forward line. Brighton’s stance was clear: Minteh would only be prised away for a fee closer to £70m.

For now, he stays.

Minteh, signed from Newcastle for £30m in 2024, has grown into a key part of Hurzeler’s attacking structure. Operating mainly off the right, he has 10 goals and nine assists in 73 appearances for the Seagulls – not headline-grabbing numbers, but the kind of steady output that attracts elite clubs when wrapped inside Brighton’s data-driven scouting seal of approval.

Speaking before Saturday’s Premier League meeting with Leeds, Hurzeler struck a firm but pragmatic tone. Brighton will not stand still for anyone, but they also will not stand in a player’s way if the timing and the price are right.

“If the whole team is successful and the individual shines then Yankuba will get a lot of attention again and he can then maybe fulfil his dream in the next transfer window,” the German said, tying Minteh’s personal ambitions directly to Brighton’s collective performance.

The message was pointed. You want the move? Earn it here first.

Hurzeler moved quickly to shut down any suggestion that Minteh might sulk his way through the aftermath of a failed switch to Anfield.

He is “definitely” committed to Brighton, the manager insisted.

“He wears the Brighton colours, he wears the Brighton badge. He has been with us for two years now as part of the squad. He has achieved great things together with the boys,” Hurzeler said, underlining the winger’s place in a group that has repeatedly punched above its financial weight.

Then came the challenge.

“It’s also about him now to commit. In the end, we always say we want to be successful as a club and then you can shine as individuals.

“That is what we have proved in the past. If we achieve things together, the attention will come to the individual players and that will be the case also this season.”

It is the Brighton model in a few sentences. Build the platform, polish the talent, sell at the peak. Minteh knows the path well; others have walked it to Champions League dressing rooms and international stardom.

Liverpool’s interest confirms he is on that road.

Brighton’s refusal to sell confirms they believe there is more to come.