Liverpool are advised to return to negotiations for Brighton's right winger Yankuba Minte ahead of the transfer window closing.
The Reds have been actively seeking to strengthen their right flank in these final days after Mohamed Salah's summer transfer to Trabzonspor.
Previously, the Merseysiders signed Bradley Barcola and Victor Munoz. Both players can operate on the right, yet they feel substantially more comfortable on the left.
Ismaila Sarr from Crystal Palace and Yankuba Minte from Brighton have been seen as potential newcomers, especially should Cody Gakpo make a move to Manchester City. However, insider Fabrizio Romano has revealed that Liverpool opted to keep the Dutchman due to challenges in finding an adequate replacement:
Liverpool decided to retain Cody Gakpo as they can't find a suitable replacement. An £85 million offer from Manchester City was turned down because Gakpo agreed to stay and is ready to continue playing for Liverpool. Manchester City are now focusing on Ndiaye and Enzo Fernandez.
Journalist David Lynch commented on the potential transfer of Minte:
It makes sense due to his age and development potential. There's a chance to sell him in the future and recoup some of the spent funds.
Lynch continued:
That's why paying over the odds for Yankuba Minte would be sensible. It wouldn't look like panic buying. It would acknowledge the madness of the market, but in five years, he should retain resale value.
Another journalist, Davis, weighed in on the strategy of Brighton's hierarchy:
Brighton are remaining calm in this situation. I bet Tony Bloom and Paul Barber are absolutely relaxed because they hold all the cards. It's important to mention that Minte fits the style of Iraola. He brings many positives and potential.
With Minte expected to miss around a month due to injury, which might delay his return to full fitness, Lynch believes this should not deter Liverpool:
It doesn’t matter that he’s injured right now. If he comes back in October, that’s fine. Minte is a better fit for the team, it’s a more prudent step and a smarter allocation of funds.
Explaining why Liverpool made the right choice in rejecting a bid for Ismaila Sarr from Crystal Palace, Lynch noted:
I think he’s a good player, but for me, it would have reeked of panic buying.
Liverpool usually conducts business in a reliable manner, avoiding signing players aged 28-29 for £50-60 million.
They’d never sign a player of that age for those amounts; they simply wouldn’t do it. It’s completely out of character for Liverpool under FSG. So, I think it’s safe to conclude that it would have been a panic buy.
