Why Liverpool could sign £17m Minteh alternative

As Curtis Jones prepares to leave Liverpool after Inter Milan agreed a £30m transfer with the Merseyside club, the spotlight on the Reds’ lack of depth will only intensify.

Liverpool are stepping into a new era, led by Andoni Iraola, and while there is a degree of excitement in the air, many supporters are anxious about their side’s capacity to compete, having yet to close a marquee deal to sign Bradley Barcola from Paris Saint-Germain.

The 23-year-old France forward is one of the most exciting attackers out there, heading straight for superstardom after two rich years under Luis Enrique’s wing.

But he’s not the only PSG talent on FSG’s radar. In fact, Liverpool’s desired move for Ibrahim Mbaye might be scuppered as the back-to-back Champions League winners stand firm on their hefty valuation.

Why Liverpool shouldn’t overpay for Ibrahim Mbaye

Following recent developments, it’s clear that Liverpool do actually have their finger on the pulse of the transfer market, that they are aware of their deficiencies and the need to strengthen.

Sporting director Richard Hughes has seen a £50m offer rejected by Brighton & Hove Albion for Yankuba Minteh, who is currently sidelined with a right leg injury – the Gambian is expected to miss a few more weeks.

It’s promising to note that Liverpool are actually searching for forwards to replace Mohamed Salah out wide, and not just Barcola, but Minteh might not be the best pick. He only scored three times in the Premier League last season, and he is indeed out for a while yet.

Minteh is keen on the move, but others will be too. Mbaye, for example, is keen to move on from PSG, but the young Senegal international surely isn’t worth £43m, not after just 42 senior appearances.

Mbaye might not be ready to leap over the Channel and settle in Liverpool and play from the position Salah vacated not long ago. A bit more experience might do it, especially as Rio Ngumoha is already preparing for a prominent campaign at right wing.

Liverpool in talks to complete a better signing than Mbaye

Liverpool need a right-sided forward before the transfer window slams shut, and if not Mbaye, if not Minteh, then who?

Well, according to TEAMtalk, a surprising link has emerged regarding Liverpool’s long-standing interest in FC Midtjylland winger Dario Osorio, with Everton also keen on the £17m-rated Chile international.

The 22-year-old has been the subject of a number of concrete enquiries this summer, and his Danish outfit are willing to listen to any approaches – should their price tag be met.

A fast, powerful and versatile winger, Osorio is the real deal. He has been nicknamed “The Chilean Di Maria” for his natural-born creativity and intense approach to wingplay.

Mbaye is quickly emerging as an elite prospect, but he is only 18 years old, and Osorio has established himself as a mainstay over a number of years with Midtjylland, actually instrumental across two Europa League campaigns.

You might say that Mbaye is thriving, and he is, but Osorio is showing himself to be a more robust and unforgiving winger to come up against, bounding with more than just a spring in his step and winning any number of duels when unleashed down the channels.

Experience matters, especially when Liverpool’s new right-sided forward will be up against Ngumoha. And while it’s not as if Osorio is a veteran, he has played 117 times for his outfit after leaving his homeland.

Mbaye is a talented young forward, but he’s also a work in progress. For an 18-year-old to step up and perform in the zone previously occupied by the legendary Salah would be a risk, for sure.

Osorio is older and more experienced. His relentlessness could be the perfect addition at Iraola’s Liverpool, and it’s one to keep an eye on as the window approaches the closing stage.