Newcastle United are already wondering ‘what if’ when it comes to Yankuba Minteh.
The Magpies sold Yankuba Minteh last month, with the winger signing for Brighton And Hove Albion on June 30th.
He joined the Seagulls for £33million, with Newcastle United cashing in on the 19-year-old to aid their desperate PSR situation.
It was devastating to see him leave, and Eddie Howe has admitted that he is disappointed to see Minteh go.
However, it was a case of needs must. The Magpies simply had to sell to comply with PSR, with Minteh and Elliot Anderson chosen to be sold. The alternative to not complying was a points deduction, which was out of the question for PIF.
Yankuba Minteh scores in friendly win for Brighton
Brighton have picked up a real gem in Minteh, and it has not taken the Gambia international long to make an impression in blue and white.
They faced Japanese side Kashima Antlers on Wednesday, with the Seagulls winning 5-1. One of those goals came from Minteh, while another two came from Amario Cozier-Duberry – who Newcastle tried to sign.
His goals are a sign of what Newcastle could have had, but it is Minteh’s strike that stings the most.
The teenager was picked out by James Milner after a fantastic run forward, then skipped inside past two defenders before producing a smart finish with his left foot.
Newcastle fans react to Minteh’s goal
It was a really impressive goal from Minteh, and one that has got Newcastle United fans talking on social media.
But while plenty have reacted with panic after seeing Minteh score so soon after leaving St James’ Park, a lot of supporters are calling for calmness. It was sad to see him go, but a departure was essential due to the club’s PSR situation.
That is the view of this fan on X, who wrote: “Queue the #NUFC Twitter meltdown… all because Minteh has scored in a friendly. We had to sell or suffer a points deduction. Let’s move on… Believe me Kids, it doesn’t hurt anywhere as much as Andy Cole!”
This fan put things into perspective, writing: “Minteh scores in pre-season… So has Murph, Barnes and Isak… perspective needed.”
It was simply a case that Newcastle needed to sell someone, and it ended up being Minteh, which this Toon supporter reminded fans of: “Sometimes someone’s gotta take one for the team!! Stop crying about Minteh.”
The alternative was losing a major player, which would have been even worse, as one Newcastle fan pointed out on X: “I’d rather have Bruno, Isak and Gordon over Minteh.”
“Can we maybe not lose our collective minds over 1 (one) Minteh pre-season goal please,” asked another member of the Toon Army.
Finally, this fan asked: “People having a meltdown because Minteh scored a goal against a Japanese team ranked 302nd best in the world. We have no idea how good he will be in the Premier League and I’m pretty sure #NUFC would rather have not sold him but would you rather lose him or Bruno/Isak? I know my preference.”
Selling Minteh was a necessary evil for Newcastle
In a perfect world, Newcastle would have kept Minteh. But in the world of PSR, he had to be sacrificed.
It made sense, with Newcastle bringing in a huge amount of money for someone who cost a fraction of the price without ever kicking a ball for the club.
But the frustrating element is that Minteh is exactly what Newcastle are looking for. Paul Mitchell is trying to sign a right winger, with reports in Italy suggesting that Newcastle have bid for Nicolas Gonzalez.
Perhaps Minteh could have been the solution to the Magpies’ problem, but he had to go. Newcastle could not afford to suffer a points deduction, nor would they consider selling a star like Alexander Isak or Bruno Guimaraes.
Selling Minteh may very well come back to haunt Newcastle United, but it was simply a necessary evil.
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