Brighton accept Yankuba Minteh is signing for Liverpool after £15m decision…

Brighton has confirmed the signing of Yankuba Minteh by Liverpool following a £15m decision – analysis

Brighton has acquired Femi Azeez from Millwall for a fee reported to be around £15m.

Ben Jacobs announced this on X (formerly Twitter) after the Seagulls chose not to reveal the exact details of the agreement.

Fabian Hurzeler’s team finalized the transfer using a deal sheet, taking advantage of the extended 1am deadline on Wednesday morning.

Is Femi Azeez brought in as a replacement for Yankuba Minteh?

Identified as a right-sided (and left-footed) winger who can also cover the opposite side, it appears that Brighton sees Azeez as a potential successor to Minteh. At the very least, he serves as cover for the injured Gambian, who is expected to be out for approximately seven weeks.

Brighton has confirmed that Femi Azeez has joined from Millwall on a four-year deal, with a fee in the region of £15m.✍️

The 25-year-old, like fellow newcomer Zadok Johanna, is a left-footed right-sided winger. Thus, it seems Brighton has ensured that Hurzeler has the necessary players on the flanks to compete effectively in European competitions and their 2026/27 Premier League season.

Brighton’s squad composition suggests Minteh may be leaving soon

Consider Brighton’s current winger options (when all are fit):

Kaoru Mitoma (LW)

Ibrahim Osman (LW)

Zadok Johanna (RW)

Femi Azeez (RW)

Yankuba Minteh (RW)

And this is without factoring in the highly versatile Diego Gomez, who filled in gaps in the forward line last season.

Liverpool still needs to address their overseas spots issue

Liverpool remains at full capacity regarding overseas spots, as they have yet to move on players like Kostas Tsimikas, Wataru Endo, or Federico Chiesa.

This issue must be resolved if the Reds intend to pursue Minteh again in the upcoming January transfer window. However, it appears improbable that we will part ways with our Greek left-back without adequate cover for Milos Kerkez. Additionally, a similar case could be made for Wataru Endo, who was included in Andoni Iraola’s matchday squad against Nottingham Forest over the weekend.

Chiesa appears to be the most likely candidate to be let go, considering his absence from the last matchday squads, yet Liverpool has clearly faced challenges in finding a willing buyer for the Italian. Ultimately, there is no sign that this situation will change as we approach the winter window.

The Reds may need to rely on Yankuba Minteh remaining available until the summer. This is, of course, contingent on Liverpool’s recruitment not being swayed by a more attractive option in the market.

Otherwise, it seems that Brighton has indicated to the Reds that the Gambia international is available for transfer.