Brighton boss hints Minteh could seal Liverpool move in January window

Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler has opened the door to Yankuba Minteh leaving for Liverpool in January, telling reporters the Gambian winger could ‘fulfil his dream in the next transfer window’ if the club performs well this season.

The comments came in a pre-match press conference ahead of Brighton’s clash with Leeds United, and represent the clearest public acknowledgement yet that a move to Anfield remains a live possibility. Liverpool had been strongly linked with Minteh during the summer window as they searched for a long-term replacement for Mohamed Salah, but no deal was completed before the deadline.

“[Minteh] wears the Brighton colours, he wears the Brighton badge — he’s been here for two years now,” Hurzeler said. “We’ve achieved great things together. Therefore, it’s also about him now to commit. In the end, we always say we want to be successful as a club, but then you can also shine as individuals. If we achieve things together, then attention will come to those players. This will be the case this season; if the whole team is successful, then Yankuba will maybe fulfil his dream in the next transfer window.”

Liverpool ultimately ended the summer window without signing a natural right-winger. Victor Munoz and Bradley Barcola arrived in attack, but neither is considered a like-for-like replacement for Salah on the right flank. A move for Crystal Palace’s Ismaila Sarr also failed to materialise, while Cody Gakpo — linked with Manchester City late in the window — was retained to provide cover on that side.

Minteh, 21, has established himself as one of the more productive wide attackers in the Premier League over the past two seasons. He registered seven goal involvements in 34 top-flight appearances last campaign, having contributed 10 in 32 the season before. That consistency in the English top flight appears to be a key part of his appeal to Liverpool.

Hurzeler’s framing of a potential January exit as conditional on collective success suggests Brighton are not looking to sell cheaply or quickly, but the manager’s candour signals the club is at least prepared to facilitate a move if the right circumstances arise.