Liverpool’s summer transfer business remains unfinished as the new Premier League season gets underway under manager Andoni Iraola.
Mohamed Salah’s departure has left a significant void on the right wing, and finding a worthy successor before the window closes is Liverpool’s most pressing priority.
The club has been heavily linked with Brighton’s Yankuba Minteh, but negotiations have proven difficult, with Brighton demanding £70m to part ways with the 22-year-old Gambian winger.
Liverpool submitted a verbal £50m offer initially, followed by a formal £60m approach, both of which were rejected by the Seagulls as insufficient for their prized asset.
Brighton correspondent Andy Naylor has suggested the deal “will probably end up happening,” though Liverpool appear to be exploring alternative options in the meantime.
Minteh is currently sidelined with a leg injury and is not expected to return to action until October, which adds further complication to any potential transfer arrangement.
Despite only scoring three Premier League goals for Brighton last season, the winger has been described as an attacking talent who “can reach Sadio Mane level” in the future.
However, according to ESPN Brazil, Liverpool have now expressed strong interest in Real Madrid forward Endrick, who is valued at around £56m by the Reds.
The 20-year-old Brazilian joined Real Madrid from Palmeiras for approximately £51m in July 2024, but his position in Madrid has been jeopardised by the record-breaking arrival of Yan Diomande.
Endrick’s place in the Real Madrid squad has been squeezed, and with Aston Villa and Roma also circling, Liverpool sense an opportunity to land one of football’s most exciting young prospects.
The 21-time Brazil international spent last season on loan with Lyon in Ligue 1, where he recorded five goals and seven assists in 16 starts, demonstrating his ability to thrive in different systems.
By comparison, Minteh registered just three goals and four assists across 34 appearances for Brighton, making Endrick’s output significantly more impressive from a statistical standpoint.
Endrick’s per-90 data from his Lyon loan also shows 3.1 shots per game with 1.6 on target, compared to Minteh’s 1.2 shots and just 0.3 on target per 90 minutes.
Arsenal star Gabriel Jesus has previously hailed Endrick as a “phenomenon,” and that kind of glowing endorsement from a fellow Brazilian speaks volumes about his perceived ceiling.
In 12 goal contributions across half a season with Lyon, Endrick matched significant output that Minteh has only approached across two full campaigns at Brighton.
Liverpool are also pushing to sign Bradley Barcola from Paris Saint-Germain, with that deal described as a protracted saga, though all parties are reportedly working toward a resolution.
With Barcola anticipated to arrive and Rio Ngumoha being handed a role shift toward the right wing this season, Liverpool still need a natural goalscoring threat out wide.
Endrick offers that potency, combining combativeness and tenacity with a natural confidence in front of goal that could complement Iraola’s system perfectly at Anfield.
Minteh remains a viable and exciting option for Liverpool, but Endrick represents a player with higher immediate upside and the swagger of someone ready for the biggest stage.
With the transfer window approaching its close, Liverpool’s move for the Real Madrid forward could define the early shape of the Iraola era at the club.