Yankuba Minteh took time to find his feet at Feyenoord after joining them on loan from Newcastle United last summer. The winger has scored four goals in the last three league games and his recent form has pleased his manager, Arne Slot.
The Eredivisie side signed the 19-year-old on a dry loan deal and Slot has stated that his stay at the club beyond this season depends entirely on the Magpies.
At the weekend, the Newcastle owned player admitted he’s open to extending his stay at the Dutch club.
“If I have the opportunity to stay here, then of course I’ll stay, because it’s a great club,” he said, as quoted by Voetbal Zone.
Speaking to De Telegraaf’s Kick-Off podcast, journalist Valentijn Driessen has suggested the Gambia international had to make the transfer admission, to avoid being criticised by the Feyenoord supporters.
“Minteh is immediately put back on the horse [hoisted on the shield] and it’s all great. That’s what the boy has to say, because he’s sitting there with Feyenoord reporters,” he said, relayed by Voetbal Zone.
“And in fact, he communicates there with the Feyenoord audience. And then Minteh says: ‘No, of course I don’t want to stay here. I want to go to Newcastle United.’ He’s not going to say that there, because you will be whistled at the next match.”
Last summer, Newcastle took Minteh from Danish side Odense Boldklub and immediately sent him out on loan at Feyenoord, where he’s managed eight goals and three assists from 28 games this season.
The teenager’s deal at the Tyneside club lasts until 2028. Voetbal International journalist Martijn Krabbendam, relayed by Feyenoord Pings, claims it would cost around €15m to buy Minteh from Eddie Howe’s side.
“Minteh is from Newcastle. Slot also indicated yesterday that it’s nice that they have such a player and that he helps Feyenoord to achieve their goals,” Krabbendam explained.
“But he’s not from Feyenoord. With so much potential and possibilities. That’s going to cost a lot of money. It’s not too bad this year, he has now scored three times in a row. You always saw that he had a lot in him. This player gets better the more he plays and trains.”
