One thing's for certain: Liverpool are primed for an eventful end to the summer transfer window.
FSG are diligent operators, with Anfield's transfer strategy driven by two of the best in the business in Michael Edwards and sporting director Richard Hughes, and this was clear through the swift signings of full-backs Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong, and the British-record signing of playmaker Florian Wirtz, which was wrapped up in June.
Wirtz-Liverpool
However, the pursuit of Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak has been anything but expeditious, with the Reds having seen a British-record bid worth £110m plus add-ons rejected at the start of August, following weeks of intense speculation and suggestion that the Sweden international wants to move to Anfield.
Now, it's getting messy. The 25-year-old is aggrieved about the way his and Newcastle's transfer window has transpired, and is insistent that he has played his final match for the Magpies.
Liverpool need another striker, having sold Darwin Nunez to Al Hilal in a deal rising to £57m after parting ways with Luis Diaz, now garbed in Bayern Munich's kit.
But did Liverpool's Community Shield defeat against Crystal Palace make a comment on Arne Slot's attacking line?
What the Community Shield told us
Last month, Liverpool signed Eintracht Frankfurt's Hugo Ekitike for a £79m fee, adding one of the most talented forwards in Europe to Slot's squad.
Ekitike-Slot-Liverpool
Isak's future broods in the background, but the French forward stepped up and scored during the Community Shield at Wembley, expertly converting following Wirtz's fizzed pass just four minutes into his debut.
The 23-year-old told Liverpool and the fanbase that he's ready to become a major player at Anfield and in the Premier League, bearing the potential to rival the likes of Isak for a place as one of Europe's top strikers.
Though defensive fragility and thinness were clear against the Eagles, the Merseysiders also lack depth up top. And though Ekitike is the real deal, it's imperative that Hughes and co welcome another forward to Liverpool's mix this month.
Liverpool lining up Isak alternative
Liverpool want Isak, but they are ready to pounce on other attacking targets should the need arise. And according to transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano, Bradley Barcola sits right at the top of the shortlist.
Discussing the Premier League champions' outstanding transfer plans this summer with GIVEMESPORT, Romano confirmed that internal discussions have been held behind the scenes over a move for Barcola, 22, who has emerged as a superstar at PSG.
Instrumental in driving Luis Enrique's quadruple-winning 2024/25 campaign, the France international has been valued at around €100m (equating to around £87m) by the French giants, who hope to tie Barcola down to a long and lucrative new contract in Paris.
Liverpool Barcola
The Telegraph's Chris Bascombe has suggested Liverpool could move to sign a left-sided forward along with a nine such as Isak, and with that in mind, could the Reds not pull off a stunning double swoop?
Why Liverpool want Bradley Barcola
Barcola has flaws in his game; he's certainly not the finished product. But how exciting is that? The French winger, after all, posted 21 goals and 21 assists apiece across all competitions for PSG last season, winning four major titles, including the Champions League.
bradley-barcola-psg
Already considered to be a "world-class player" by Liverpool and Romano, Barcola's pace and potency down the left flank suggest he could be the perfect Diaz replacement and contrast to the more goal-focused Cody Gakpo. While the Frenchman may be the Swede's alternative at the moment, we can envisage a team where they co-exist.
Isak is a striker of startling completeness, and that's why he could work so fluently with Barcola, whose grasp of the technical side of the game would work well alongside the Scandinavian talent's goalscoring qualities.
Last season, it was clear that Eddie Howe reduced the scope of Isak's game, thus streamlining his prolific capacity and giving rise to his standout strength.
Alexander Isak's Last Two PL Seasons
Stats (* per game)
Matches (starts)
Goals
Assists
Touches*
Shots (on target)*
Big chances missed
Pass completion
Big chances created
Key passes*
Dribbles*
Ball recoveries*
Tackles + interceptions*
Duels (won)*
Data via Sofascore
Even so, Isak still enjoyed plenty of creative moments, with that fact further substantiated through his ranking among the top 16% of positional peers across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for shot-creating actions and the top 13% for progressive passes per 90, via FBref.
Shot-creating actions are pieces of play that lead to a shot. These include moments such as a pass, take-on or foul being drawn.
Slot loves players who can do multiple things, and so Isak's role at number nine would come with the ancillary duty of supplying teammates.
Newcastle United's Alexander Isak celebrates scoring their first goal
This would be helpful for Barcola, who enjoyed much success in front of goal last year, albeit not producing true clinical results. Indeed, across PSG's league and European campaigns, the £109k-per-week talent might have scored 17 goals, but he also missed 33 big chances, highlighting ample room for improvement there.
Luckily, he's got a knack for finding space and shooting, and his 21-goal return last year is hardly something to be sniffed at.
With great ball-carrying ability, creative focus and the potential to become a truly deadly goalscorer, Barcola is surely the perfect partner for a striker like Isak, whose intelligence and off-the-ball movement would accommodate the France star when he wants the headlines.
And when Barcola is the one tasked with supplying Isak? Well, expect a seamless connection, striking fear into the rest of the Premier League and indeed Europe.