Brighton have retained Yankuba Minteh after rejecting Liverpool bids, preserving a prized asset while leaving open the possibility of a future transfer if he continues to rise. The Seagulls refused offers of £50m and £60m for the 22-year-old winger, with the club understood to have valued him closer to £70m.
Minteh moved to Brighton from Newcastle for £30m in 2024. He primarily operates on the right and has contributed 10 goals and nine assists across 73 appearances for the club. Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola had targeted the player to bolster his attacking options, but Brighton declined to sell during the window.
Manager Fabian Hurzeler framed the decision as protection of both the club project and the player’s longer term prospects. He said that if Brighton enjoy team success and individual players stand out, attention will grow and Minteh could still “fulfil his dream” in a later window. Hurzeler also insisted the winger remains committed to Brighton, using the word "definitely" to describe his stance.
The club’s recruitment strategy this summer combined restraint on one front with significant business elsewhere. Brighton generated major funds by selling Carlos Baleba to Manchester United for £70m. Those resources were partly reinvested in a deadline-day signing, with Spanish defensive midfielder Chema Andres arriving from Stuttgart for £15.5m.
Andres brings experience from a strong Bundesliga campaign. He made 41 appearances for Stuttgart last season after joining from Real Madrid in 2025, having come through Real’s youth ranks and made his La Liga debut in January 2025. Hurzeler acknowledged comparisons between the 21-year-old and established midfielders, saying he understands the 'baby Rodri' tag while noting Andres still has progress to make.
Brighton’s stance on Minteh signals two clear priorities: protect a developing squad that can compete this season, and preserve negotiating leverage should a larger offer arrive later. For Minteh, the immediate consequence is continuity; for Brighton, it is a bet that keeping key performers will increase their value and help the club achieve results that make future sales easier and more lucrative.
Looking ahead, attention will focus on how Brighton balance on-field ambitions with transfer-market patience. If the team performs and Minteh maintains his form, the club can revisit offers under stronger terms. For now, Brighton have chosen to keep one of their most sought-after players and control the tempo of any potential exit.
