Liverpool is being linked with a transfer move for 19-year-old Newcastle United forward Yankuba Minteh. The highly-rated talent was on loan last season with Feyenoord under Arne Slot.
Valued at around $51m (£40m/€47m), The Telegraph reports that Newcastle might have to cash in amid Financial Fair Play concerns and Liverpool is one club who would be keen, as well as sides in Italy and Germany. The North East outfit would rather not lose the teenager but would perhaps sell him before Bruno Guimaraes or Alexander Isak who have both been linked with exits.
Newcastle missed out on European football completely ahead of next season and therefore might be able to lose a couple of players to free up some more budget for summer buys. Minteh was signed from the Danish side Odense last summer for $8.3m (£6.5m/€7.6m).
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Minteh, who represents Gambia at international level, is a left-footed forward who tends to play off the right-hand side. Last season, he scored 10 goals and notched five assists in 27 appearances in the Netherlands. Slot, who could be his coach again if he makes the move to Anfield, is said to believe that he is a huge talent.
Stylistically, it would be fair to say that Minteh is similar to Riyad Mahrez. Like the Algerian, he often comes inside and is comfortable in central positions but he can get to the byline as well. He has a grace as he glides across the turf.
With Mohamed Salah heading into the final year of his contract, Minteh could be a long-term replacement for the Egyptian down the right-hand side of the Liverpool attack. At the same time, Salah would be able to play more often through the center with another genuine option to play down the flank added to the Reds’ roster.
There is an argument that playing Salah either as a number 10 or a number nine at times next season could get more from him nearer the goal. Given his form dipped after his injury last season, Salah could also perhaps do with playing a bit less. Having him for an hour and the Minteh to replace him for the final half an hour would be a potent attacking plan.
Liverpool.com says: Minteh looks like a player who could make a real impact in the future and the Reds should be all over him if a deal is possible. His numbers, still as a teenager, are really positive and will only get better. Add in the fact that it would deal a blow to a Premier League rival by taking a top talent off Newcastle and it is a no-brainer if the Magpies are willing to do business.