Liverpool deal for Yankuba Minteh takes huge step forward

News has broken about Liverpool’s opening, unsuccessful bid for Yankuba Minteh.

The 22-year-old Brighton winger is the subject of a strong approach from Anfield. Richard Hughes has slid an offer of £50m across the Seagulls’ desk for the Gambian wideman.

But Brighton have not taken the bait and Liverpool’s bid was knocked back. It leaves the Reds short of a right-wing option just days before the end of the window.

Liverpool will be back for Minteh

However we should not discount the possibility of the 2024/25 Premier League champions returning for another attempt to land the forward.

Minteh is currently injured after sustaining a blow against Roma in preseason and isn’t expected to be fit until around October or November.

Liverpool won’t be deterred by that however with Minteh reportedly on the radar since his days on loan under Arne Slot at Feyenoord in 2023/24.

And it appears Brighton are taking steps to cover Minteh’s impending departure - all but confirming that the South Coast club are prepared to accept a bid from Anfield.

Brighton to replace Minteh with Cameron Ashia

Football Insider is reporting that Brighton have made an approach for Huddersfield’s Cameron Ashia.

“Brighton and Hove Albion have made contact over signing Huddersfield Town winger Cameron Ashia,” the report reads.

“This could potentially have ramifications for Liverpool's attempts to lure Brighton winger Yakubah Minteh after they had an initial £50million bid rejected.”

With Zadok Yohanna also onboarded it would suggest that Brighton are ready to move on from Minteh - who joined from Newcastle in 2024.

Cameron Ashia: Situation summary

Cameron Ashia is a London-born Huddersfield Town attacker who has made a rapid impact after taking an unconventional route into the EFL.

Released by Derby County after a season in their academy, he rebuilt his career through a Huddersfield trial and a brief Torquay United loan.

Primarily a right-footed wide forward, he can also operate as a No. 10 or centre-forward.

Ashia’s standout traits are explosive acceleration, direct ball-carrying and a knack for arriving in shooting positions; he has often been most dangerous as an impact substitute rather than a possession-dominant creator.

His 2025–26 breakthrough brought six goals and three assists from 31 senior appearances, despite only 10 starts. Huddersfield triggered an extension option in May, taking his deal through to June 2027 and removing the possibility of a low-cost free transfer.

Celtic, Rangers, Birmingham City, QPR, Stoke City, Ipswich Town, Sheffield United and Brighton have all been linked, while Anderlecht and Hamburg have reportedly made enquiries.

A Championship or progressive overseas move looks plausible, but Brighton’s interest suggests he is now being watched higher up the English pyramid.