Liverpool agree personal terms with Yankuba Minteh as Brighton demand over £70m

Liverpool have reportedly agreed personal terms with Yankuba Minteh as they prepare to continue talks with Brighton & Hove Albion over a late summer move for the winger.

The Reds have already seen two attempts rejected for the 22-year-old, with Brighton believed to have turned down proposals worth around £50million and £60million.

Brighton are demanding more than £70m to consider selling Minteh, but Liverpool remain interested and are expected to make another attempt before the transfer window closes.

According to Fabrizio Romano, Liverpool have been in talks with Minteh's representatives and have now agreed personal terms with the winger.

That removes one significant obstacle from a potential transfer.

Minteh is also believed to be keen on the move and has previously spoken about Liverpool being a club that would suit his style.

The winger said Liverpool would be a good fit for him when discussing his future, although he insisted at the time that the transfer speculation was not occupying his thoughts.

Liverpool must now find an agreement with Brighton.

That is proving considerably more difficult.

Liverpool's first proposal was believed to be worth around £50m, but Brighton rejected it.

The Reds returned with an improved offer in the region of £60m, only to receive the same response.

Brighton value Minteh at more than £70m and are under no immediate pressure to sanction his departure.

Liverpool therefore face a decision over whether to increase their offer for a third time and move closer to Brighton's valuation.

With Minteh seemingly open to joining, the negotiations between the clubs are now the key part of the deal.

Liverpool's pursuit comes as Andoni Iraola looks to strengthen his options out wide before the deadline.

The Reds identified several wide players at the beginning of the summer window, with Minteh among the names on their shortlist.

Iraola has publicly admitted Liverpool do not currently have enough specialist options in the wide positions.

"In terms of what we need, there are certain situations that are clear, especially out on the wing because we don't have enough players specific to play in those positions," he said.

Liverpool are therefore expected to remain active during the closing stages of the window.

Minteh is not Liverpool's only attacking target.

The Reds remain interested in Paris Saint-Germain winger Bradley Barcola, although that would be a substantially more expensive operation.

PSG are believed to value Barcola at around £130m to £140m.

Liverpool have also explored a possible deal for Ibrahim Mbaye, but their increasingly serious pursuit of Minteh makes it less likely that they will advance for the PSG youngster.

The priority appears to be adding a winger capable of immediately improving Iraola's squad.

Liverpool are expected to decide whether to return with a third offer after seeing their opening two proposals rejected.

Personal terms with Minteh are reportedly already agreed, meaning the major obstacle is Brighton's asking price.

With the deadline approaching and Iraola openly admitting he needs more options on the wing, Liverpool must now decide how close they are prepared to go to Brighton's £70m-plus valuation.

Should Liverpool pay more than £70m to get Minteh, or should they put that money towards a move for Barcola?