Liverpool rejected by new forward after failed Yankuba Minteh bid

Liverpool have reportedly been rejected by a new forward after their bid to sign Yankuba Minteh was reportedly turned down by Brighton and Hove Albion.

The Reds kick off their Premier League season away to Newcastle on Sunday but are still lacking depth in a number of key areas.

They only have one natural centre forward available in Alexander Isak, while Victor Munoz, Cody Gakpo and Rio Ngumoha must share the workload across both flanks.

Curtis Jones' anticipated departure to Inter Milan means that Liverpool are also short in midfield, while Ronald Araujo has been signed on loan from Barcelona to cover at both centre-back and right-back.

On Thursday, The Athletic reported that Liverpool had launched a bid to sign Gambia international Minteh from Brighton, but that the Seagulls turned the offer down.

The 22-year-old is believed to be keen on moving to Anfield, though is still recovering from a leg injury suffered during pre-season and will miss the start of the Premier League campaign.

Liverpool dealt new forward transfer blow

Now, according to ESPN, Liverpool's forward search has stretched as far as Real Madrid wonderkid Endrick, who has been linked with a move away from the Bernabeu on loan this season.

Spanish media reported earlier this month that the Brazil international would only leave if he was to be guaranteed to play as a centre forward, and also preferred to play for a club in the Champions League.

Manchester United and Aston Villa were among the Premier League clubs listed as having an interest, and Liverpool appear to have joined that race.

READ MORE: Endrick has 'two strict conditions' to leave Real Madrid as second Premier League club rival Man Utd

However, ESPN report that Endrick has changed his mind over a loan move and now wants to fight for his place at Real under new manager Jose Mourinho.

They claim that both the player and Mourinho rejected loan offers from both Villa and Roma, with Mourinho believed to have rated Endrick as 'very impressive' in training.

Endrick has played a significant part in Real Madrid's pre-season until picking up a recent injury (Image: Getty)

It is added that Mourinho sees Endrick as being 'useful in several attacking positions' meaning that, as well as battling with Kylian Mbappe for the centre forward role, he can also add competition for Vinicius Junior on the left side of attack and new club-record signing Yan Diomande on the right.

Endrick's January loan move to Lyon was planned months in advance last season, with the Brazilian going on to score eight goals and provide eight assists in 21 appearances during what was an extremely successful temporary spell at the French side.

"By November I already felt ready to play well, to get more chances. But it didn't happen," Endrick told Transfermarkt in May. "I couldn't play so I had to work harder to keep myself in shape.

"I already knew I was leaving the club at the start of the year. That was the time I worked hardest to be in good shape for Lyon, to arrive ready to play. I worked hard so that when I arrived at my new club in January, I could show what I'm capable of."