Mohamed Salah is still no longer a Liverpool player. Still, the Egyptian King will be absent as the Andoni Iraola era kicks off. And still, the desperate need to replace him before the end of the transfer window is as strong as ever.
The Premier League giants are not at their peak by any stretch, but Iraola’s entrance after such a steep drop-off last year has pumped fresh energy into Anfield’s legs.
Signings are still needed, though, with the new Premier League now upon us. Liverpool are still pushing to sign Bradley Barcola from Paris Saint-Germain, and while that one has become a protracted saga, each party is working toward a solution. Barcola wants to sign for the Reds.
However, Barcola is not a right-sided forward, and therefore, not a like-for-like Salah replacement. Liverpool need a right winger, and have trained their sights on Brighton’s Yankuba Minteh.
What Minteh would bring to Liverpool
Minteh is sidelined with a leg injury. He is not expected to return to action until October. Still, Liverpool clearly see immense potential in the Gambian winger, who only scored three Premier League goals for Brighton last season.
Liverpool are skilled operators in the transfer market, and oftentimes, know how to secure a statement signing, even when the player in question hasn’t performed to the highest level. The 22-year-old Minteh has so much potential, and his underlying data speaks of a future at the highest level.
Minteh has been described as an attacking talent who “can reach Sadio Mane level” in the future. He plays with a natural combativeness that perfectly complements his electric attacking intensity. He is one of the most dangerous wingers in the division, but he does need to up his game in front of goal.
Liverpool have seen several offers knocked back: first, a verbal £50m offer, and on Friday evening, a £60m approach which ended with the Seagulls stating that it would take £70m to bring him over to Anfield. Still, Brighton correspondent Andy Naylor has said that the deal ‘will probably end up happening‘.
Should Liverpool find an alternative, however, things could shift once again.
Liverpool begin work to sign elite-level Minteh
Minteh is a promising winger, but is he ready to step up to Liverpool and establish himself as Salah’s successor on the right wing?
According to ESPN Brazil, Liverpool have expressed strong interest in Real Madrid forward Endrick, who does not want to leave the Spanish capital, but whose position on the right wing has been jeopardised by the record-breaking arrival of Yan Diomande, former Liverpool top target.
Endrick, 20, is widely regarded as one of football’s top attacking talents. He joined Real Madrid from Palmeiras for around £51m in July 2024. Reports in Brazil now suggest that Liverpool are hoping to sign him for £56m, but Real will surely demand more.
Aston Villa and Roma have also shown an interest in him this summer, and while his preference is to remain with Los Blancos, if chances are few and far between, Liverpool could convince him over the next two weeks, securing a “phenomenon” of a prospect, as hailed by countryman and Arsenal star Gabriel Jesus.
Minteh would be a shrewd signing for a Liverpool side in transition, but Endrick is a cut above. The 21-time Brazil international has the style and confidence to match the natural ability, and he showed while on loan with Lyon in France last season that he can thrive in different systems.
|
League Form 25/26 |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Stats (* per 90) |
Endrick* |
Minteh |
|
Matches (starts) |
16 (14) |
34 (26) |
|
Goals + Assists |
5 + 7 |
3 + 4 |
|
Shots (on target)* |
3.1 (1.6) |
1.2 (0.3) |
|
Big chances missed |
9 |
4 |
|
Accurate passes* |
14.1 (75%) |
12.6 (68%) |
|
Big chances created |
9 |
11 |
|
Key passes* |
1.9 |
1.4 |
|
Succ. dribbles* |
2.3 |
1.9 |
|
Recoveries* |
2.8 |
2.8 |
|
Def. contributions* |
1.3 |
2.6 |
|
Duels won* |
4.6 |
4.8 |
|
*During Endrick’s loan with Lyon in Ligue 1 |
||
At Liverpool, Endrick would be allowed to bloom into a superstar. Though Rio Ngumoha has been informed of a role shift toward the right wing this season given Barcola’s anticipated arrival, the 17-year-old can’t do it alone. A goalscoring contrast in Endrick could bear dividends for Iraola’s system.
Minteh would make his own mark, to be sure, but Endrick is simply better, his natural potency above that of the Seagulls star. In half a year with Lyon, he notched 12 goal contributions, whereas Minteh has only hit 17 across two full terms.
Endrick is still a work in progress, but the young attacker demonstrated with Lyon the capacity to stand up and play a talismanic role for a top club. He just has that swagger about him.
Combative, tenacious and deadly in front of goal, you could say he’s got a certain likeness to Minteh – but the potential to outstrip the Gambia international and become a world-class superstar.