Yankuba Minteh transfer terms show where Liverpool stood on Arne Slot reunion

Brighton is making significant progress in its pursuit of Yankuba Minteh. Despite Liverpool's reported interest, a fee is expected to exceed £30 million in a deal that hands Newcastle a much-needed financial boost.

The 19-year-old winger was tentatively linked with Liverpool and a reunion with Arne Slot, who he played under during a fruitful loan spell at Feyenoord last season. In reality, the Reds had no interest in pursuing a move for the winger, according to the Echo, and news of the deal agreed with Brighton underlines where they stood.

While it is believed Slot admired the winger, and it's fair to assume FSG would have done its due diligence over a player of his reputation, the £33million deal agreed with Brighton (via The Athletic) is a hefty price. Those terms, after Newcastle and Minteh's agents reportedly held talks with numerous clubs around Europe, suggest Brighton simply valued the player higher than any other interested parties.

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While Liverpool and Slot may have admired Minteh, clearly he was not valued anywhere near as highly as he was by the Brighton hierarchy. The significant transfer was driven by the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability Rules, which aim to curb overspending and debt accumulation.

These regulations allow clubs to incur losses of up to £105 million over three years or less if they spend some time outside the Premier League during that span. Nottingham Forest, having been docked four points last season for breaking financial rules, still managed to avoid relegation with 32 points, finishing six points clear of Luton Town. Luton, Burnley, and Sheffield United will be relegated back to the Championship.

Minteh was reportedly offered to Nottingham Forest, but he declined a move to Lyon last week despite an agreed-upon £40 million deal. Everton made an offer, while Liverpool initially expressed interest but eventually lost momentum, a signal that it was not interested in paying the sort of price that Minteh ultimately commanded elsewhere.

With the pressure to sell players mounting, Newcastle could have faced losing another key player, Anthony Gordon, if they failed to meet the June 30 deadline. The deadline is crucial for the club to avoid potential sanctions. If Liverpool had seen value in Minteh at that price, they would likely have acted, but their interest waned. Minteh made a notable impact at Feyenoord last season under Slot, where he made 37 appearances, scored 11 goals, and provided six assists while on loan.

Despite his excellent loan performance, Liverpool seems to be considering other options, putting the idea of a manager-player reunion in doubt. Newcastle reportedly sought to acquire Jarell Quansah as part of their potential deal for Gordon.

The 21-year-old broke into Liverpool’s first team last season, producing outstanding performances. Liverpool's intention to keep Quansah implies that he and other young talents who impressed under Jurgen Klopp last season, such as Conor Bradley, Lewis Koumas, and Jayden Danns, will play a central role in Slot's plans in the future with youth.

“The pre-season was super positive, super positive. We wanted to... so we got asked a lot that we have to sign a new centre-half. And obviously we were thinking about that as well, it’s not that we ignore potential issues or whatever," said Slot.

“But when we saw him, it was clear that we will not go for it. That we will have our own solution. And without knowing how much game time he will get already this year. Because of the situation and his development, he is obviously now a proper part of the squad, a proper part of the rotation," continuing his praise for Quansah.