Yankuba Minteh's Dream Move on Hold as Brighton Boss Fabian Hurzeler Emphasizes Commitment

Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler insists Yankuba Minteh can still chase his “dream” move one day – but only after helping the Seagulls fly higher first.

Liverpool saw bids of £50m and then £60m rejected for the 22-year-old winger in the recent transfer window, as Andoni Iraola pushed to sharpen his forward line. Brighton held their ground. They wanted closer to £70m before even thinking about doing business.

For now, Minteh stays on the south coast.

The Gambia international, signed from Newcastle for £30m in 2024, has become a key part of Brighton’s attack. Operating mainly off the right, he has produced 10 goals and nine assists in 73 appearances, numbers that have inevitably drawn attention from clubs with deeper pockets.

Speaking before Saturday’s Premier League meeting with Leeds, Hurzeler made it clear he understands the player’s ambitions – but set out the conditions.

“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.

The message was firm. Ambition is fine. Commitment comes first.

Hurzeler stressed Minteh is “definitely” focused on Brighton 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.

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 movie before: build a player, build a platform, then watch the elite come calling. The question now is how high Minteh can push them before that phone rings again.