Gambian football expert Baboucarr Fallaboweh says Brighton & Hove Albion‘s Yankuba Minteh would like to join Liverpool, after failing to secure a move in the summer window.
Sport Witness interviewed Fallaboweh to discuss the Brighton player’s rise from Gambia, Liverpool’s interest and other topics.
The 22-year-old had a spell at Steve Biko in Gambia. He moved to Europe for the first time when Danish side Odense Boldklub signed him in 2021.
Brighton player’s development in Gambia
Baboucarr Fallaboweh says Yankuba Minteh’s talent was already noticeable at a young age. He explains about it while discussing the Gambia international’s development back in his country.
“Everything around him was football. He loved football and people came to notice him when he played in the school football team. It was the President Cup. So that’s where he made his name for his school,” he said.
“He was noticed from that age and then he moved to play divisional football, a club called Steve Biko. And the two seasons he played for them before he moved to Denmark, he was the best in his position.”
He managed four goals and five assists from 17 matches during the 2022/23 season and that was enough for him to attract Newcastle United’s interest in 2023. The Magpies, after signing him, immediately loaned him to Feyenoord.
The Gambia international managed 11 goals and five assists for the Eredivisie side. After his return to St. James’ Park, the Tyneside club sold him to Brighton in 2024. They had to sell him to improve their finances.
Minteh’s 2-year spell at Brighton
The attacker was a regular in his debut season for the Seagulls, scoring seven times and contributing five assists from 37 matches. Last season, he managed three goals and four assists to his name.
The Gambian football expert insists Yankuba Minteh has done well at Brighton & Hove Albion while there’s still room for improvement.
“Yes, I think there is room for improvement. You know, there are games that he played, You saw his quality, both offensively and defensively, you know, which helped, I think, individual-orientated, depending on the coach… So, in that aspect, you saw there was quality in him,” Baboucarr Fallaboweh explained.
“But at the other end, if you are looking at a tactical view, you could have asked more that his numbers could have increased both in goals and assists. So, that’s the problem, that’s the big question mark that I have with him. But the performance per se was perfect in some situations or against some teams.”
| Statistic | 2024/25 | 2025/26 |
|---|---|---|
| Appearances | 37 | 36 |
| Minutes played | 2,275 | 2,448 |
| Goals | 7 | 3 |
| Assists | 5 | 4 |
| Goals + assists | 12 | 7 |
| Minutes per goal | 325 | 816 |
| Goal contributions per 90 | 0.47 | 0.26 |
Seagulls star aiming for Liverpool
In the summer, Andoni Iraola’s side tabled multiped offers, and Brighton & Hove Albion rejected them. The latter raised the price from £70m to £80m during the last week of the window.
Yankuba Minteh picked up an injury in August and is yet to feature for Fabian Hürzeler’s side this season.
Last weekend, Gambian journalist Foday Manneh told Sport Witness that his setback stopped the Reds from signing him. He also backed the Merseyside club to sign him in January if the attacker were to regain fitness and convince them.
Baboucarr Fallaboweh now picks up on that and adds the player is still keen on moving to Anfield. He mentions this when asked whether Liverpool are still the best club or should he consider joining other top European clubs.
“I think Liverpool. He will still want to go to Liverpool. Depending on [how] Liverpool will activate that desire to still have him,” he added.
“Because right now, his situation has not been helped because he is injured. If not, then you could have more justification for him to showcase his performance why Liverpool were after him.”
“But at the overall situation, even if he moves, I don’t think he will move outside the Premier League. Manchester United can come banging on their doors.”
“It’s a big win for him to be associated with Liverpool. So, it gives other big European clubs around the world to take a closer look at him now that they know Brighton’s actual price. So, it will be easier for them to explore it.”
