Yankuba Minteh responds to £40m transfer interest in fine style with Newcastle future unclear

Yankuba Minteh had the perfect response to speculation linking him with a £40m away from Newcastle United on Saturday as he found the net for Gambia on international duty. The 19-year-old forward was being touted as a potential Magpies departure on Saturday morning but by the evening he was blocking out the outside noise to find the net for his country.

Minteh scored Gambia's third in their 5-1 win over the Seychelles, squeezing the ball under the goalkeeper in the 55th minute to give his side their first win in their World Cup qualifying group. The youngster dodged the media after the clash but will no doubt be quizzed over his Newcastle plans as his country takes on Gabon next week.

Speaking recently, Minteh told Voetbal International: "I don't know what plans the club has for me or what the future looks like. Maybe Newcastle wants to loan me out again. Ultimately, the Premier League is my goal and Newcastle is the club that has a lot of confidence in me. I will let everything happen and one day I will be playing in the Premier League."

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According to The Telegraph, Liverpool are one club who have registered interest in the winger as Newcastle attempt to comply with Profit and Sustainability Rules. Minteh arrived on Tyneside last summer for just £7m and should any club offer the rumoured price tag of £40m, Eddie Howe and his transfer team's PSR concerns could be put to bed.

However, the Newcastle boss wants to take a look at Minteh in pre-season, with the club heading to Japan for two friendlies at the end of July. The youngster ended the season in red-hot form at Feyenoord, who want another loan deal secured, while this week's performance on the international stage shows that form could well continue.

However, the teenager could be seen as one of the assets Newcastle may sell to balance the books as they plot a major summer overhaul. The likes of Martin Dubravka, Miguel Almiron, Callum Wilson and Kieran Trippier could also be offloaded to free up squad space and vital funds for incoming deals this summer.