Brighton reject second Liverpool bid as £60m Minteh offer falls short

Brighton have rejected a second Liverpool offer for Yankuba Minteh, turning down a £60 million bid as the Premier League champions continue their push to strengthen the wide areas of their attack.

Liverpool had already seen an opening proposal worth £50 million rejected before returning with an improved offer, but Brighton remain unwilling to sell at the current valuation. The south-coast club are understood to value the 22-year-old closer to £70 million and are under no immediate pressure to sanction a departure.

The size of Liverpool’s second bid underlines the seriousness of their interest, particularly given Minteh’s current injury situation. The Gambia international is expected to remain sidelined until around October, meaning any successful move would initially be an investment in the medium and long term rather than an immediate solution for the opening weeks of the season.

Brighton’s position reflects both Minteh’s development since arriving from Newcastle United in 2024 and the strength of their negotiating position. He has established himself as one of the club’s most valuable attacking assets, combining direct running and pace with an increasingly productive end product.

Liverpool’s pursuit comes as the club continue to assess options capable of adding greater depth and variety in wide positions. Minteh is not the only player under consideration, with Paris Saint-Germain winger Bradley Barcola also monitored, although PSG’s reported valuation of around £145 million makes that route considerably more expensive.

That leaves Minteh as a potentially more attainable target, but Brighton’s rejection of successive offers indicates Liverpool will have to decide whether to move closer to the asking price or redirect their attention elsewhere.

There is currently no agreement between the clubs and no indication that Brighton are preparing to compromise on their valuation. A third Liverpool bid has also not been confirmed.

The next move therefore belongs to Liverpool. Raising their offer from £50 million to £60 million despite Minteh’s injury already demonstrates a significant level of commitment to the player, but Brighton have shown repeatedly in recent transfer windows that they are prepared to hold firm until their valuation is met.

With the transfer window entering its closing stages, the gap between the two clubs is now clearly defined. Whether Liverpool are prepared to bridge it will determine if their pursuit develops into one of the major late deals of the Premier League summer.