Perfect Liverpool signing on the brink of collapse - but is it a blessing in disguise?

Perfect Liverpool signing on the brink of collapse - but is it a blessing in disguise? Make us your Google favourite Liverpool 's talks with Brighton over Yankuba Minteh appear to have hit a major roadblock, but this may not be such a bad thing. In recent days, the Gambia international has emerged as the Reds' top target for the right wing, where Mohamed Salah has, remarkably, still not been adequately replaced. Rio Ngumoha started on that flank against Newcastle at the weekend and did not look comfortable at all. Victor Munoz provided a spark off the bench, but is that enough for a Champions League-level team? Probably not. Before pivoting to Minteh, Liverpool explored a deal for Ibrahim Mbaye, but PSG's €70 million valuation forced them to back away from the deal. The same could now happen with Minteh. Liverpool have already had two bids rejected by Brighton, and reporter Florian Plettenberg understands that no agreement is in sight. Consequently, the Seagulls are growing increasingly confident that they will keep the 22-year-old this summer. Liverpool seemingly have not yet given up on Minteh. They were still in talks over a deal as of Tuesday morning, but the current direction of travel does not look good for the Reds. Minteh deal would be a gamble sources has already explained that Minteh could be the perfect signing for Andoni Iraola. It is very clear that Liverpool still need to sign another right-winger. However, it could also be argued that failing to strike a deal for the Gambian could actually be a blessing in disguise because he is currently injured. According to Plettenberg, Minteh isn't expected to return to full match fitness for another two or three months. This would make signing him for big money a huge gamble. Spending €80m - this is apparently Brighton's asking price - on him when he won't be fit for a solid chunk of the season could easily backfire. Liverpool need reinforcements urgently. Judging by their Newcastle performance, they can't really afford to wait several months for their new marquee right-winger. Minteh had to undergo surgery after sustaining his injury, so there is no guarantee that he will be the same player when he returns or that he will hit the ground running at his would-be new club. It could take him even longer than the predicted two or three months to properly find his feet. There is admittedly a dearth of elite right-wingers in the market right now, but you would hope that Liverpool's recruitment department have an adequate Plan B and Plan C up their sleeve. Dropping €80m on a player who might not be fully fit and firing until the festive period or the new year would run counter to Liverpool's ostensibly smart recruitment. But after the debacle of the previous summer window, you also wouldn't be totally surprised by it.