Hurzeler: Minteh can still fulfil his Liverpool dream

Fabian Hurzeler says Yankuba Minteh could still "fulfil his dream" of a big move, after Brighton turned down bids of £50m and £60m from Liverpool in the summer window.

Andoni Iraola had wanted the winger to bolster his attacking options at Anfield. Brighton, by all accounts, were holding out for closer to £70m.

Minteh joined from Newcastle for £30m in 2024 and has since scored 10 goals with nine assists in 73 appearances for the Seagulls. Speaking before Saturday's game against Leeds at the Amex, Hurzeler set out the terms on which a move might yet happen.

Asked directly whether the 22-year-old Gambia international remains committed after the failed approach, the Brighton manager was in no doubt.

Brighton did not come away from deadline day empty-handed regardless. Carlos Baleba's £70m move to Manchester United helped fund a late swoop for Stuttgart's Chema Andres, a £15.5m signing who made 41 appearances for the Bundesliga side last season. The 21-year-old Spain Under-21 international has already picked up the nickname 'Baby Rodri', a comparison Hurzeler was careful not to overstate.

Andres "can definitely be an option" against Leeds this weekend. Femi Azeez, a deadline-day arrival from Millwall in a deal worth up to £15m, is still working back from injury and is targeted for the following fixture instead.

Hurzeler's message to Minteh points to a familiar trade-off for a club that keeps selling its best players on: keep performing for Brighton, and the interest — and perhaps the move he wants — will follow on its own.