Liverpool Could Revisit Yankuba Minteh Transfer in January

Liverpool’s pursuit of Yankuba Minteh may have ended without an agreement during the summer transfer window, but David Lynch believes there remains a route back to the Brighton winger in January.

Speaking to Dave Davis on the latest Media Matters podcast for Anfield Index, Lynch discussed the possibility of Liverpool returning to the market when the window reopens, with Minteh among the deals that could potentially be resurrected.

The complication is straightforward. Liverpool may need to create room in their attack first.

Yankuba Minteh Remains a Liverpool Question

Davis raised the subject after discussing comments from David Ornstein regarding Liverpool and the possibility of activity in January.

Minteh had been one of Liverpool’s attacking targets during the summer. The Reds reportedly saw bids of £50 million and £60 million rejected by Brighton, with the Seagulls demanding significantly more before Liverpool stepped away from negotiations. Recent reports have subsequently suggested Brighton head coach Fabian Hürzeler has left open the possibility of Minteh earning his desired move in a future window.

Lynch, however, identified an important obstacle when assessing whether Liverpool could return.

“I do wonder with Minteh though, you’ve got a bit of a problem, haven’t you, with Liverpool’s attack now in that it kind of needed Gakpo to go to open up the spot.”

That gets directly to the issue facing Liverpool.

Cody Gakpo Could Hold the Key

Cody Gakpo remained at Liverpool despite interest in him during the summer, leaving Andoni Iraola with several senior attacking options.

Lynch therefore questioned whether another market would develop for the Dutchman when January arrives.

“So, is there going to be interest there in Gakpo in January? Will City come back in the mix? Will Spurs be there?”

His conclusion was cautious.

“I’m not entirely sure because I think that’s what probably needs to happen for that to make sense.”

Liverpool’s decision to retain Gakpo therefore has consequences for any renewed pursuit of Minteh.

Lynch believes the numbers currently available to Iraola mean Liverpool do not necessarily need another attacker without somebody leaving.

“They’ve, I think, got enough bodies in attack.”

That assessment becomes particularly relevant once Liverpool’s injured forwards begin returning and Iraola has more of his attacking options available.

Liverpool May Need One In, One Out

For Lynch, the equation surrounding Minteh appears increasingly simple.

“It should need to be then one in, one out.”

He continued: “So if they are to go back for Minteh, I still think it will require that departure and the big question is, is the market there and is the market there in January?”

That may ultimately determine whether Liverpool revive their interest.

Minteh remains a natural right sided attacking option, something Liverpool explored during the summer before deciding the price required to prise him away from Brighton was too high.

Brighton’s position could change. Liverpool’s position could change. The composition of Iraola’s attack could change too.

Yet Lynch was clear that another January deal cannot simply be considered in isolation.

January Transfer Still Possible for Liverpool

Lynch also refused to dismiss the possibility of Liverpool doing business when the transfer window reopens.

“There are other names that could come into the mix in terms of attacking options in January as well.”

More broadly, he added: “In terms of them actually doing something in January, the option is always there. They’ve made good signings in January previously.”

Liverpool, Lynch stressed, are “not a club that shies away from that.”

His assessment of another attacking move was therefore measured rather than dismissive.

“I wouldn’t rule it out at all, but it’s an interesting one in attack, I think.”

The decisive factor may still be a departure.

“I just wonder whether it will require a sale as well and whether they’ll actually be able to do that because that’s so dependent on what other clubs do.”

That leaves Yankuba Minteh as a player worth monitoring.

Liverpool were sufficiently interested to pursue him during the summer, Brighton resisted those approaches, and Lynch believes another attempt could depend upon Liverpool creating space within Iraola’s forward options.

January therefore presents a possible second opportunity.

Whether Liverpool take it may depend as much on who wants one of their existing attackers as it does on how much they still want Minteh.