Yankuba Minteh's Dream Move: Brighton Boss Fabian Hurzeler's Insights

Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler insists Yankuba Minteh can still chase his “dream” move one day – but only after he helps drive the Seagulls to more success.

Liverpool saw bids of £50m and £60m knocked back for the winger in the recent transfer window, as Andoni Iraola pushed hard to add another attacker to his squad. Brighton, though, held their line. The south coast club were understood to want closer to £70m for the 22‑year‑old Gambia international and never blinked.

Minteh, signed from Newcastle for £30m in 2024, has grown into a key part of Brighton’s front line. Operating mainly off the right, he has produced 10 goals and nine assists in 73 appearances – numbers that explain why Liverpool came calling and why Brighton felt no need to sell on the cheap.

Speaking before Saturday’s Premier League meeting with Leeds, Hurzeler made it clear the door to a big move is not closed forever, but the timing has to be right.

“If the whole team is successful and the individual shines then Yankuba will get a lot of attention again and he can then maybe fulfil his dream in the next transfer window,” the German said.

For now, Hurzeler wants the conversation to be about commitment, not what might have been at Anfield. He stressed that Minteh remains fully on board despite the failed switch to Merseyside.

“He wears the Brighton colours, he wears the Brighton badge. He has been with us for two years now as part of the squad. He has achieved great things together with the boys,” Hurzeler said, underlining the winger’s place in the dressing room.

Then came the challenge.

“It’s also about him now to commit. In the end, we always say we want to be successful as a club and then you can shine as individuals.

“That is what we have proved in the past. If we achieve things together, the attention will come to the individual players and that will be the case also this season.”

Brighton have seen this story before: build a player, build a team, and the market follows. Minteh’s dream may yet be realised – but only if he helps write another chapter on the south coast first.