Liverpool are pushing ahead with a third bid for Yankuba Minteh, even as the Brighton & Hove Albion winger faces a minimum eight-week absence through injury — a situation that has been described as "bizarre" by those tracking the deal.

The Reds have already had two offers knocked back by Brighton in the space of a week. Minteh has emerged as Liverpool's primary target to fill the right flank left vacant by Mohamed Salah, and the club are reportedly weighing up a bid of at least £65 million to keep the pursuit alive.

The injury complication

Minteh sustained the knock during pre-season against Roma and did not feature in Brighton's convincing home win over Aston Villa at the weekend. Journalist Florian Plettenberg has reported that the Gambian winger could need two to three months to reach full match fitness after the setback.

The injury news adds an awkward dimension to Liverpool's summer planning. New manager Andoni Iraola is working to integrate his squad into his tactical methods as quickly as possible, and a key signing who is immediately unavailable complicates that process.

The price Liverpool may need to pay

FourFourTwo understands that Brighton would accept a fee of around £70 million for Minteh — a figure also corroborated by journalist Ben Jacobs on TalkSPORT. Transfermarkt values the winger at €45 million.

Jacobs noted that the two clubs held talks over the weekend and that a decision on whether to lodge a third offer could come at short notice. "If they go to £70m, it'll be a done deal, according to Brighton sources," he said, adding that Liverpool may first test the water at £65 million.

Wider concerns at Anfield

Liverpool opened their Premier League campaign with a 1-1 draw at St. James' Park, where Dominik Szoboszlai rescued a point against Newcastle United. The performance raised questions about defensive cover in midfield, the long-term plan for Virgil van Dijk, and how best to deploy Florian Wirtz.

With youngster Rio Ngumoha forced to play out of position on the right flank against Newcastle United, the need for wide reinforcements is clear — injury concerns around Minteh notwithstanding. Liverpool face Nottingham Forest in their next Premier League fixture.