Liverpool's SECRET meeting with Alexander Isak | OneFootball

Things could have been so much simpler for Alexander Isak and Liverpool.

Right now we are in the thick of the summer transfer window and there are extortionate prices being quoted for the Swedish forward.

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Liverpool remain undeterred, fuelled by a lot of financial power, they have set sights on their man and they will look to bring him to Anfield.

Whether that attempt will be successful remains to be seen. At this moment in time, it's too early in the window to make a prediction.

Although as we enter July, things will accelerate. Newcastle will want clarity over Isak's future. They will also want to bolster their squad, and they may realise that will only be possible with more additions and more money being spent than what the current Premier League's Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) allow them to make.

In that instance, they might just be forced to admit defeat and sell Isak to Liverpool, for the best possible deal they could get.

But as we were saying, it didn't have to be like this. Things could have been so much simpler...

Liverpool's interest in Isak is not new. Ever since he emerged as a prolific teenager in Sweden, Liverpool have kept a close eye on him.

Isak was formidable even then. A tall but still spindly and slender forward, his speed, technical ability and intelligence made him a dominant force in Sweden's top flight and that attracted the attention of many clubs.

Liverpool were one of the leading candidates for his signature. Back in 2016, almost nine years ago, they even held a 'secret meeting' with AIK officials and Isak's agent to convince him to come to Anfield as Swedish outlet Matchdax reported.

The meeting was held in Sweden with the club's representatives travelling all the way out to the country in order to sign Isak.

They really wanted to sign him back then. However, at the time, Borussia Dortmund's pathway seemed like the better option for the young forward.

Isak opted in favour of the German side and joined them in January 2017. The rest would be history but Liverpool had the opportunity to sign him five years later.

The club's former Director of Research Ian Graham revealed to the Financial Times that back in 2022, Liverpool's data team were keen on Isak.

The option was between Isak and Darwin Nunez with Jurgen Klopp having the final call, and he infamously opted for the latter.

Isak meanwhile ended up signing for Newcastle which is how Liverpool have got themselves into this pickle. And it's also why they are not ready to give up on him now.

This is a transfer that has been nine years in the making. For almost a decade now, the club have been waiting and now at the third time of asking, they will hope the common adage is right:

Three times the charm.