Liverpool in advanced talks to sign African star, agreement is close

Liverpool are in advanced talks to sign an African star.

Liverpool have always had a strong connection with African football, with some of the continent's biggest stars going on to make their mark at Anfield.

During Jurgen Klopp's reign, Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah became two of the most important players of Liverpool's modern era. Both were absolutely central to the club's trophy-winning years and gave supporters countless unforgettable moments along the way.

They were also two of the biggest names in African football. Their rivalry went well beyond Liverpool, with the pair regularly coming up against each other at the Africa Cup of Nations and battling for the African Footballer of the Year award.

But Liverpool's relationship with African players stretches back much further than Klopp.

Bruce Grobbelaar was one of the Premier League's first major African stars, while South African Gordon Hodgson remains Liverpool's fourth-highest goalscorer of all time.

Then there have been plenty of others along the way. Momo Sissoko, Joel Matip, Kolo Toure, Naby Keita and Titi Camara all pulled on the famous red shirt, bringing their own qualities to the team and, in many cases, becoming popular figures with the Anfield faithful.

So there is a long history there.

Interestingly, though, Liverpool's current squad looks very different.

For a club with such a strong African connection, there is surprisingly little representation from the continent at Anfield right now.

In fact, Mor Talla Ndiaye is currently the only African player on the books. The youngster arrived in January and has already been given a taste of first-team football under Andoni Iraola.

Given Liverpool's history with African talent, it will be interesting to see whether Ndiaye can become the next player to carry that tradition forward.

But there is a strong possibility more African players could be heading to Anfield very soon.

Ibrahim Mbaye is a big targets for the Reds and he is someone who Liverpool could sign before the end of the transfer window.

The Senegalese winger is surplus to requirements at PSG, and he clearly wants to make the next step in his career.

Seeing him link up with Ndiaye at Anfield would be really cool, especially in order to continue the long-standing tradition of Senegalese stars at Anfield.

Mane is the most famous player from Senegal to have played for the Reds, and another African who could be heading to Anfield is someone who very much wants to follow in his footsteps.

As well as Mbaye, Liverpool are now making a move for Yankuba Minteh of Brighton. The Gambian winger is someone Richard Hughes and his recruitment team have tracked for a while.

At 22-years-old, he has a lot of experience under his belt already - including two seasons in the Premier League.

Brighton are tough negotiators as Liverpool have found out but the Reds have a good relationship with the club and it looks like they are now progressing talks very rapidly in order to secure Minteh.

According to reliable Gambian journalist Foday Manneh, Liverpool are now in advanced talks with Brighton to sign Minteh and all parties are hopeful of reaching a deal for the African super talent.

So, this is one deal that could get done very quickly, as it should considering we are entering the final few days of the transfer window.

Let's hope, Minteh is through the doors at the AXA training centre by the start of the week, with Barcola to follow and then potentially Mbaye if Cody Gakpo departs to Tottenham.

That could just be the perfect ending to the window.