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Liverpool recently handed a debut to big-money addition Hugo Ekitike.
Despite this piece of business, Alexander Isak continues to be linked with a transfer, and Michael Owen has had his say. While Ekitike is a striker by trade, and fellow marquee signing Florian Wirtz can play there as well, Liverpool is dealing with significant flux in its forward department this summer. Luis Diaz has confirmed a move to Bayern Munich, Darwin Nunez is still expected to depart, and the effect of the tragic death of Diogo Jota cannot be ignored either.
In order to maintain two elite options in every attacking position, Arne Slot does need to make multiple front-line additions. And it makes sense for the reigning Premier League champion to shop in the very best markets, especially after a summer of such frugality last year.
Isak is certainly a blue-chip option. There's a case to be made that he is the best striker in the world right now.
Owen once held that moniker himself, claiming the Ballon d'Or in 2001. And he believes that Isak's potential appetite for a move to Anfield comes as no surprise.
"If any decent player becomes available, eventually, the big boys will get them," Owen told talkSPORT. "It is sad because you want competition in the Premier League, but players have got to have ambition.
"You only have one short career, so you have got to try and reach the top. That is what drives every player.
"People will say it is money, but it's not; they want to be in the best team, playing in the best competitions, and winning trophies. This scenario will never change."
Owen, of course, is walking something of a diplomatic tightrope. The potential Isak transfer spans two of his former clubs.
But as one of the few to have been in a similar situation, he is worth listening to, if only on this one specific point. It's true that at 25 years old, Isak will be thinking about where he can maximize the peak years of his career.
Even Eddie Howe conceded that it is a short career for footballers. And whatever you make of the direction of Newcastle's project, it is clearly Liverpool who is best positioned to challenge over the next few years, coming off the back of a Premier League title and showing huge ambition in the transfer market.
Newcastle has tried and failed to offer Isak a new deal, one which would further cement his status as the club's star player. But those overtures have been rejected, underlining Owen's point that this is probably not a money issue.
But what if Liverpool did pull it off? Where might Isak play, especially after the arrival of Ekitike?
Owen believes Isak would immediately claim the starting berth through the middle. Ekitike, rather harshly, would immediately find himself trying to break into the front line:
"I would think Wirtz will play centrally, instead of Szoboszlai," Owen explained. "I would keep Gakpo on the left, Salah right, and Isak, if he joins, down the middle — and then Liverpool has just spent big on Ekitike as well."
That would be a terrifying proposition for the rest of the league, not least with exciting talents like Rio Ngumoha to add into the mix as well. But while Isak might want the move, and Liverpool might want him, there's a lot that still needs to happen first.
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