
EPL Index
·02 de julho de 2025
Mark Goldbridge: Ekitike linked as Liverpool build super squad

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Yahoo sportsEPL Index
·02 de julho de 2025
Liverpool are making headlines once again as they step up their pursuit of Hugo Ekitike, the promising French forward. As discussed by Mark Goldbridge on That’s Football, the Reds are actively working on a deal to sign the Frankfurt striker as part of their summer rebuild under Premier League-winning manager Arne Slot.
In the video, Goldbridge addressed the speculation head-on, citing renowned transfer expert Fabrizio Romano. “Liverpool are working on this deal. They are discussing the possibility of adding Hugo Ekitike to their squad,” Romano said, as quoted by Goldbridge. “The idea for Liverpool is to have one more striker. They’re waiting to understand what happens with Darwin Nunez.”
This strategy is rooted in the possible departure of Nunez, who is reportedly in talks with Napoli. Once his future is resolved, Liverpool are expected to accelerate their efforts to bring in Ekitike. Goldbridge disagreed with suggestions that the deal could take weeks, stating, “When do Liverpool ever do a deal that takes weeks? I mean, this is probably going to happen very, very quickly.”
Goldbridge offered a detailed analysis of Ekitike’s profile and why he fits into Liverpool’s current direction. “I think the profile’s right,” he said. “Liverpool have got the goals with Salah. They’ve got experience running through that team and obviously Wirtz is going to be there as well.”
He argued that Liverpool’s striker usage differs significantly from their Premier League rivals, saying, “The way they use their striker is very different to how United would use a striker or Arsenal are going to use their striker or Man City use their striker.” According to Goldbridge, Ekitike’s technical skill set makes him a better fit at Anfield than Old Trafford, adding, “United’s not the right place for that… but Liverpool is.”
“It’s scary the profile of an Ekitike and a Wirtz and a Frimpong and a Kerkez and Guehi,” he remarked. “If those five players come in and that’s Liverpool’s transfer business for the summer it is quite scary because they’re Premier League champions and Arne Slot is obviously hungry to build his own team.”
Goldbridge framed this aggressive transfer strategy as part of a broader evolution in elite football, where building deep squads has become a necessity. “The game’s intense… there’s too much football. Club World Cups, internationals, Carabao Cups,” he explained. “You need a squad. You need to rotate.”
The discussion also touched on the growing financial gap between top clubs and the chasing pack. “If you are a Liverpool, if you are an Arsenal, if you are a Man City and you are a Chelsea, the strong just get stronger,” said Goldbridge. He warned that clubs like Aston Villa, Newcastle and Brighton may struggle to keep pace due to financial constraints, while teams like Liverpool continue to cash in on consistent Champions League qualification.
He concluded the segment by reinforcing just how serious Liverpool are in the market: “It’s an exciting signing for Liverpool if they can get it done, and you wouldn’t bet against it now. They’re in it.”