Sacha Tavolieri of Sky Sport Switzerland says the Brighton winger could have become a Liverpool player in the final hours of the window, only for the talks to collapse. Brighton kept him, and he has barely played this season because of injury.
According to Tavolieri, negotiations between the clubs sped up in the hours before the deadline. Liverpool had the financial and sporting means to complete the deal, and he described the chance of the 22-year-old Gambia international moving to Merseyside as very real.
Minteh looked like an ideal addition to the forward line, given his explosiveness, his ability to beat defenders and his potential for development.
The reported reason for the deal's failure was his physical condition. Minteh suffered a foot injury in pre-season and needed surgery that was expected to keep him out for two to three months. Liverpool did not want to take the risk, and the gap between a move to Anfield and another season at Brighton is described as wafer-thin.
Price was also a factor. Sky Sports reported that Brighton rejected an improved £60 million offer after turning down £50 million, valuing him closer to £70 million. Liverpool may have been prepared to go as high as £72 million to £75 million, but the injury was a decisive obstacle.
Liverpool spent £235 million in the window, with Bradley Barcola and Jérémy Jacquet their two biggest investments. The pursuit could return in January if Cody Gakpo leaves, with Gakpo linked with Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur this summer.
Minteh has plenty of pedigree. Newcastle United loaned him to Feyenoord in 2023/24, where he made 37 appearances in all competitions and scored 10 league goals, before Brighton signed him in July 2024 for a reported £30 million. Sky Sports reported that his injury is expected to keep him out until around October.