It was almost certainly mere coincidence. But how appropriate Manchester City should officially unveil Erling Haaland on the day Liverpool expect to effectively seal the transfer of Darwin Nunez.
Some seven weeks before they cross swords on the field again in the Community Shield, the Premier League's dominant forces remain engaged in a battle for supremacy. And it's hugely instructive how both have chosen to revamp respective attacks famed, albeit for differing reasons, for their lack of a traditional centre forward.
Does this signal the return of the good old-fashioned number nine?
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Not quite. The game has progressed considerably since the days of the intimidating Mick Harford and John Fashanu striking fear into opposing defences. And even the brute force and sheer goalscoring desire of Alan Shearer perhaps no longer has its place. Forwards are a little more refined in the modern era.
There's no doubt, though, both Haaland and Nunez represent a subtle shift in policy for both City and Liverpool - a fact that seems remarkable given the two clubs scored 193 goals between them in the Premier League this season, more than the bottom five teams netted combined.
The transfers are as much through necessity as design, City spending a whole season being told they needed a proper striker having failed to prise Harry Kane from Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool needing to replace the imminently-departing Sadio Mane and, with Divock Origi going, not having a genuine number nine option on which to call.
But it's intriguing the Reds have responded to the statement signing of Haaland - arguably the most sought-after player in Europe - by making one of their own in agreeing a deal to sign Nunez.
City were always favourites to sign Haaland given his close links with the club - his father played for them and he was brought up a fan - and regular starts, goals and challenging for silverware are guaranteed.
Then there was the money. Sure, there will be those who point to the fact, that in terms of transfer fee, it seems City have the better deal, paying a set cost of £51million to trigger the Norwegian's release clause from Borussia Dortmund. Liverpool have agreed a basic fee of £64m with Benfica for Nunez, which could rise to £85.5m if appearance and team success bonus targets are met.
That figure, though, is what City are expected to splash out for Haaland when agent fees, a signing bonus and other costs are taken into account. Throw in the player's wages and there have been suggestions the overall cost of the package could be a whopping £300m.
Liverpool, like just about every club, cannot compete with that. Instead, they are having to do it their own way, wheeling and dealing in the market, thrashing out a manageable offer for Nunez - new sporting director Julian Ward already showing his negotiating nous - and continuing to evolve Jurgen Klopp's attack with Luis Diaz and Fabio Carvalho been signed up this year.
Liverpool didn't need a response to Haaland joining City. But that they have - and in potentially record fashion too - underlines they are preparing to go toe-to-toe with Pep Guardiola's side once again next season. Make no mistake, there will be goals.
