Exclusive: Why Liverpool failed to complete summer signing – And ditched deadline idea

Brighton & Hove Albion star Yankuba Minteh’s injury played a big part in his failed move to Liverpool in the summer. 

Gambian journalist Foday Manneh has given detailed interview to Sport Witness to discuss the saga involving the forward and Liverpool.

Towards the end of the summer window, Brighton turned down multiple bids from Liverpool for Minteh.

The Reds were ready to return with an improved offer before Brighton increased the price, which made it more complicated. In the end, Andoni Iraola’s side failed to sign the 22-year-old, who is still at The Amex.

Liverpool approached Brighton man in February

In December, Foday Manneh interviewed Yankuba Minteh’s agent Bakary Bojang, who talked about his client wanting a big move.

In the summer window, the journalist constantly covered Liverpool’s efforts to take him away from Brighton & Hove Albion.

The Gambian expert spoke to Sport Witness to share what happened behind the scenes and a few interesting details about Liverpool’s failure to sign Yankuba Minteh. He says the Anfield club first made contact earlier this year.

“Liverpool’s interest goes back to October 2025. As to my knowledge, Liverpool were keen and were looking at him as the potential replacement of the departing Mo Salah,” he said.

“So, from that instant, Liverpool started looking for Salah’s replacement and Yankuba was one of the profiles they were looking at as the potential replacement for their African legend. They were no contacts, with the player’s camp or even his club.

“Somewhere around February-March, they initiated their first contact with the player’s camp to officially register their interest. To show them that yes, they have been looking at Yankuba and exploring the potential signing.”

Brighton changing terms caught Liverpool off guard 

After Liverpool offered £60m, Brighton & Hove Albion raised the price to £70m. This had a deadline of August 25th.

Andoni Iraoal’s side didn’t make a fresh offer before the deadline, resulting in the Seagulls raising the price to £80m for the last week of the window.

“Yes, Brighton were considering around £70m. If Liverpool could have provided that at the time, they would consider selling the player,” Foday Manneh explained.

“During that period, they already set a deadline. So, within the period also there is a kind of tussle within the parties as to with communication. When Liverpool came on to find out [about Brighton raising the price after deadline, that really posed some challenges.”

Manneh says the Merseyside club were sorting out details, which went beyond Brighton’s deadline.

“Liverpool found that not very reasonable. They informed Brighton it’s too much and they can’t reach £80m, especially since he’s injured,” he added.

Liverpool hesitated cause of Brighton man’s injury 

Yankuba Minteh picked up a foot injury during pre-season in August. The Gambia international underwent surgery and will be out for two to three months. This has kept him away from the pitch.

Foday Manneh told Sport Witness that if not for the Brighton man’s setback, Liverpool would have pushed for his signing on deadline day.

“Yes the injury I think even at the last days I can say some last hours of the transfer the injury was now the much concern to Liverpool not even the asking price anymore,” Manneh said.

“They were still exploring that they could go little beyond what they think they could pay. They explored again to say right now the player is injured how soon he will return and then start counting on him. That was the main challenge.

“No longer about price, it was about the injury, which was very, very significant. In the last few hours of the window, it really played a big part not convincing Liverpool to go fully.

“If it wasn’t for the injury, the Reds were willing now to raise their offer again and then go for the player considering the fact that they couldn’t have a much better option in the market.

“Yes, for me I think they could have gone for him fully if he wasn’t injured. If it wasn’t for the injury they would have got to even pay something around £72-75m. I’m not saying they could pay £80m, but I’m sure they would have got £72-75m for him, but the injury played a huge part, like I said, significantly.”