“He knows Slot well” – National manager talks up player potentially joining Liverpool

Mali manager Tom Saintfiet has told Africa Foot that Brighton & Hove Albion’s Yankuba Minteh could move to Liverpool.

Brighton signed the winger from Newcastle United in July 2024, after he spent a season on loan at Feyenoord.

During his time at the Eredivisie side, the Gambia international played under the current Liverpool manager, Arne Slot. He scored 11 goals and contributed five assists from 34 matches for Feyenoord.

Last season, Minteh managed seven goals and five assists from 37 matches for Brighton. He has a goal and two assists from nine league matches this season.

Earlier this week, there were claims reporting the Reds are willing to pay big to take him away from Brighton. Africa Foot got in touch with Saintfiet to get his views on the latest claims linking Minteh to Liverpool.

“I heard about it recently. I’m not really surprised that a big club like Liverpool are interested in this player. Liverpool have been struggling in recent weeks, with some poor results,” he said.

“Arne Slot, the Reds’ manager, recently spoke about his squad, which he believes needs strengthening. This means that Liverpool is considering strengthening their squad during the winter transfer window.”

Mali appointed Saintfiet as their manager in August 2024, after his spells with Philippines and Gambia. He spent over five years with the latter between July 2018 and January 2024.

The Brighton player made his debut for the national team under Saintfiet in 2022. The Mali manager says he was convinced of the attacker’s qualities from his time at Danish side, Odense Boldklub.

When asked whether Minteh can join Liverpool, Saintfiet explained: “It’s a possibility, yes. When a club like Liverpool decide to strengthen its squad, with the financial resources at its disposal, and starts to take an interest in a player, there’s a good chance that it will be able to recruit the players it wants.”

“I think Minteh, if he signs for the Reds, could be a great asset. And there, he would continue his development, playing alongside some truly great players. And let’s not forget that he knows Arne Slot very well, who was his coach at Feyenoord.”