'They wanted to sell me, so I said fine' - Yankuba Minteh reveals reaction to Newcastle transfer decision before starring at Brighton

Minteh left Newcastle without making a first-team appearance last year, with the Magpies needing to make some big sales to comply with Profit & Sustainability Rules. The 20-year-old arrived at the AMEX Stadium for a reported £30m fee after spending the previous campaign on loan with Feyenoord and has since impressed with Brighton, scoring six goals in all competitions. One of those strikes came in Albion's 2-1 win at St James' Park in the FA Cup last month.

Newcastle's issues with PSR also forced them to part with midfielder Elliot Anderson, who joined Nottingham Forest for around £35m. Their summer dealings have been justified as the Magpies chase Champions League qualification after winning the Carabao Cup, ending a 56-year trophy draught with victory over Liverpool at Wembley last month.

Minteh told The Athletic: "I didn't know anything about that because I'd never heard of it - that thing, 'PFA' [PSR], or something like that.

"I just heard from my agent that they wanted to sell me. I said: 'OK, if they want to sell me, then it's fine. I can go to another club and try. I know other clubs are interested in me, so if I don't play there, then it's an opportunity to play for another team.' I wasn't sad or anything like that.

"All I was doing in the Netherlands [with Feyenoord] was trying to show I could play in the Premier League, because that is all I want. It doesn't matter if it is Newcastle, Bournemouth or Brighton, but, after finding myself in Brighton, I have fallen in love with the club now. I am settled here and I am good here now.

"I don't have anything against Newcastle. This is how football works. You go to this team, you think you are going to stay there for the rest of your life. Another team wants you, you move to another team."

Newcastle could have been handed a points deduction if they had not made the considerable sales needed to balance the books. However, they got it right and now sit third in the Premier League table, four points Arsenal with a trip to the Emirates Stadium still to come on the penultimate weekend of the season.

Brighton missed a chance to progress to the FA Cup semi-finals last month when they were beaten on penalties by Forest and must now concentrate on league commitments as they bid to secure European football next season. The south coast side visit Brentford on Saturday.