We've got to face the facts: there's a growing chance that Alexander Isak will not sign for Liverpool before the transfer window closes in just one week.
Liverpool's desire to sign the Newcastle United striker, and indeed Isak's desperate hopes of joining the Reds this summer, have been dashed by the Magpies' struggles to sign new forwards.
Even now, with the 2025/26 campaign underway and the market into the final stretch, United have failed to add a striker to their ranks, missing out on a slew of top targets over the past several months. They need two for Isak to leave, for Callum Wilson left St. James' Park at the end of his contract in June.
Alexander-Isak-statement-Newcastle
Speaking of Tyneside, Liverpool make their way to Newcastle's stadium on Monday, meeting Eddie Howe's side in what is being billed as a venomous Premier League clash between renewed rivals.
Arne Slot led Liverpool to the league title last season, but many comings and goings have occurred in the months since, and Liverpool still need another forward, Isak or not.
Liverpool's search for a forward
With the tragic passing of Diogo Jota this summer, and the sales of Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz, Liverpool are somewhat light in attack, even though they have signed Florian Wirtz in a British-record deal and have landed a new number nine in Hugo Ekitike, joining from Eintracht Frankfurt for £79m in July.
Liverpool-Ekitike
Two goals and an assist from as many matches marks quite the start to his Liverpool journey (more of the same tonight, Hugo), and has even led some to question the need for a number nine of Isak's calibre when Slot has a superstar-in-the-making brewing.
But, should Isak stay put, Liverpool must surely still push toward a new forward, potentially someone capable of playing across a range of attacking berths.
Real Madrid's Rodrygo has been regularly linked with a move to the Premier League and to Liverpool this summer, but Northern correspondent Dominic King has confirmed that the Brazilian is not on the Anfield agenda.
However, if Isak doesn't sign, Liverpool might want to act on their earmarked interest in an up-and-coming winger with a point to prove.
That man is Lyon's Malick Fofana. Previous reports this summer detail Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes has been poised to lodge an official offer if the opportunity arises, and that time might be on the horizon, should Newcastle bar the door on Isak's exit.
Lyon winger Malick Fofana
Lyon winger Malick Fofana
Arsenal have also shown an interest this summer, have been willing to pay €40m (about £35m), but the Gunners have now signed Eberechi Eze from Crystal Palace, leaving the door open for Liverpool, should they wish to make their move.
What Malick Fofana would bring to Liverpool
Fofana might only be 20 years old, but he has made considerable progress since joining Lyon from Belgian club Genk in January 2024, scoring 16 goals and supplying eight assists across 64 matches.
Lyon are still in Ligue 1 after their relegation due to financial breaches was overturned, and Fofana has posted a goal and an assist across his two appearances this season.
Lyon's Malick Fofana
Lyon's Malick Fofana
Dynamic, versatile and endowed with a physicality and befits a high-profile role in the Premier League, Fofana could be a fantastic addition at Liverpool, potentially even helping Ekitike reach his much-discussed ceiling.
Ekitike, 23, is mobile and powerful and pacy, and he has already shown at Liverpool his capacity. He bears a likeness to Isak, and no mistake, but there's no question that the Sweden international is the more complete and refined man, more clinical in front of goal.
Isak vs Ekitike in 2024-25
Maybe, with this in mind, Liverpool don't actually need to sign Isak. While he's rightly FSG's top target, the Magpies man shares interesting attributes with Ekitike, and the same can be said for Gordon and Fofana.
Indeed, data-led platform FBref have revealed that Fofana's high-speed dribbling and natural clinical edge make him a similar player to the England international, perhaps with an even keener edge in front of goal.
24/25 Stats - Fofana vs Gordon
Stats (* per game)
Matches (starts)
Goals
Assists
Shots (on target)*
Big chances missed
Pass completion
Big chances created
Key passes*
Dribbles*
Tackles*
Duels won*
Data via Sofascore
All in all, Gordon is more refined than the boyish Fofana (as is also the case with Ekitike and Isak), but perhaps a new partnership could be born on Merseyside, evoking the spirit of that Gordon-Isak partnership at Newcastle but doing so with new parts.
Fofana, praised for his "electric" style by content creator Dev Bajwa, has already demonstrated a fierce sharpness in front of goal, and a frightening athleticism besides. As per FBref, he ranks among the top 7% of positional peers across Europe for non-penalty goals, the top 2% for progressive carries and the top 12% for touches in the attacking penalty area per 90.
A carry is considered progressive if the ball is moved towards the opponent's goal at least 10 yards from its starting point or is carried into the penalty area.
Truly, he has the potential to become something special, and with Cody Gakpo already holding down the fort on Liverpool's left flank, Fofana could enter the fray without being bogged down by the weight of expectation.
Allowed to develop organically alongside Ekitike, Liverpool could find themselves cheering on a staggering new partnership, potentially saving millions on Isak and former target Gordon.
Yet still advancing Slot's project to an even more illustrious level.