Liverpool target Minteh after Barcola fee reality hits 2026

Key Points

• Liverpool are planning a bid for Brighton and Gambia winger Yankuba Minteh, according to TEAMtalk sources.
• Fenway Sports Group (FSG) have been informed of the record-breaking fee Paris Saint-Germain would demand for Bradley Barcola.
• Minteh is being viewed as a potential replacement for Mohamed Salah on the right wing after the Egyptian’s departure.
• Victor Munoz has been signed from Osasuna but is considered more suitable on the left side.
• Brighton are reportedly valuing Minteh at around £65m amid growing interest from multiple clubs.
• Manchester United are also reportedly in the picture, with some outlets suggesting a deal could be triggered by their involvement.
• Liverpool have made contact over Minteh, according to reports from Brighton news outlets.
• The club’s attacking revamp includes consideration of several other wingers, including Barcola, Matias Fernandez-Pardo, and Said El Mala.
• Newcastle United have recently agreed a £43m deal for another winger target, Bazoumana Toure, who was also monitored by Liverpool.
• Liverpool’s transfer strategy now focuses on balancing the market realities of high fees for certain targets while pursuing more accessible options like Minteh.

Liverpool (Liverpool standard) July 09, 2026 – Planning to make a bid for Yankuba Minteh, sources have told TEAMtalk, as the Reds’ owners, Fenway Sports Group (FSG), are made aware of the massive fee needed to sign Bradley Barcola from Paris Saint-Germain.

As reported by Fraser Fletcher of TEAMtalk, Liverpool want to sign Minteh from Brighton and Hove Albion in the summer transfer window. The 21-year-old Gambia winger, who previously played under Arne Slot at Feyenoord, is seen as a player who can adapt quickly to the Premier League and Slot’s system.

Following Mohamed Salah’s departure, Liverpool face a clear need for a right-sided attacker who can deliver goals, creativity, and consistency. Minteh’s profile pace, directness, and experience at Brighton fits the profile of a modern right-winger, according to multiple reports.

What role does the Barcola fee play in Liverpool’s strategy?

According to TEAMtalk, FSG are now fully aware of the record-breaking fee required to sign Bradley Barcola from Paris Saint-Germain, which has influenced Liverpool’s approach to other targets. Barcola has been assessed as one of several potential alternatives after earlier interest in Yan Diomande failed to materialise.

The scale of the Barcola price tag has reportedly led Liverpool to prioritise options that offer a more realistic financial pathway, with Minteh emerging as a key candidate. This shift does not necessarily mean Liverpool have abandoned Barcola entirely, but it suggests a more cautious stance on triggering PSG’s valuation.

How do Minteh’s attributes suit Liverpool’s needs?

Minteh is described as a powerful, direct winger with the ability to take on defenders and finish in the box. His experience at Brighton, where he has been a long-term attacking prospect, demonstrates his capacity to perform at the highest level of English football.

Reports from Football365 indicate that Liverpool are “ready to bid” for Minteh, with some commentary suggesting a deal could be influenced by Manchester United’s involvement. This heightened interest underlines the perception that Minteh represents one of the more viable right-winger options in the current market.

What is Brighton’s position on Minteh?

Read Brighton reports that Liverpool have made contact over Yankuba Minteh, with the club valuing the winger at around £65m amid growing interest. That valuation reflects Brighton’s view of Minteh as a long-term attacking asset and a key part of their squad planning.

Brighton’s position is consistent with the club’s history of negotiating for high fees on players who have shown significant development. The £65m figure places Minteh among the more expensive Premier League winger options available this summer.

Which other wingers are Liverpool considering?

The Athletic has analysed several wingers Liverpool may target now that Yan Diomande has eluded them, including Minteh, Said El Mala, Matias Fernandez-Pardo, and Bradley Barcola. This list shows that Liverpool’s search is not limited to a single profile but includes a range of options across different leagues and price points.

Thisanfield has also assessed and ranked seven attacking alternatives, with Barcola, Rayan, and Minteh among the top names. These assessments highlight that Liverpool are balancing ambition with pragmatism, weighing the potential of premium targets like Barcola against more accessible options such as Minteh.

What does this mean for Liverpool’s transfer plans?

Liverpool’s approach to Minteh signals a strategic pivot towards players who can deliver immediate impact without triggering the kind of record-breaking fees associated with stars like Barcola. The club’s willingness to make contact and potentially bid suggests confidence in Minteh’s ability to adapt to Slot’s system and fill the right-wing role.

At the same time, the club remains open to other possibilities, including Fernandez-Pardo, El Mala, and others, ensuring that the right-wing recruitment is not overly dependent on a single name.

How have other clubs reacted to Minteh and similar targets?

Newcastle United have agreed a £43m deal for Hoffenheim winger Bazoumana Toure, a player heavily monitored by Liverpool. This move demonstrates that multiple Premier League clubs are active in the winger market, increasing competition for targets like Minteh.

Manchester United’s reported interest in Minteh, as noted in several outlets, further complicates Liverpool’s position and could influence the final price and negotiation dynamics.

Background of the Minteh Development

Yankuba Minteh came through the youth ranks in Gambia before moving to Europe and joining Feyenoord, where he developed under Arne Slot. His move to Brighton and Hove Albion was seen as a step towards regular Premier League football, and he has gradually established himself as a promising right winger.

Liverpool’s interest has been recurring over multiple transfer windows, with reports dating back to earlier in 2024 and 2025 suggesting a long-term admiration for Minteh’s profile. The current push in summer 2026 reflects a combination of Liverpool’s need for a right-winger post-Salah, Brighton’s willingness to sell at a high valuation, and the shifting landscape created by the Barcola fee.

Prediction: How Could This Development Affect Liverpool Fans and Supporters?

If Liverpool secure a deal for Minteh, supporters will likely view him as a direct right-wing successor to Salah, offering a blend of pace, direct running, and goal threat. His familiarity with Slot’s style, having played under him at Feyenoord, could mean a smoother adaptation period compared to some other targets.

However, the £65m valuation and competition from clubs like Manchester United mean that fans may face a prolonged negotiation period, with the risk that the deal could stall or fail if the fee is not agreed. Supporters will also need to monitor whether Liverpool continue to pursue Barcola or other alternatives, as the final attacking shape could depend on how many of these targets are completed.