Liverpool had two opportunities to sign Alexander Isak before his rise to fame, but it remains keen on the Newcastle striker, who is one of three forwards being eyed up this summer.
The Swedish player progressed through the ranks at AIK in his home country, and it was during his time there that Liverpool held discussions about him. However, according to Fotbollskanalen, talks about the young striker didn't lead to any concrete action.
Isak eventually moved to Borussia Dortmund, then Real Sociedad, and finally Newcastle. It was in Spain where he made a name for himself, attracting significant attention. However, the Magpies acted swiftly, splashing out a club-record fee of around $82 million to secure Isak's services.
Liverpool missed its chance to sign Isak that summer, opting instead to break its own club-record fee to bring in Darwin Nunez - leaving Newcastle with a clear path to the Swedish star. The Reds' former director of research, Ian Graham, has conceded that Jurgen Klopp's influence over transfers played a key role in choosing Nunez, who had scored against Liverpool in the Champions League, over Isak.
That decision has backfired somewhat, with Liverpool now looking to offload Nunez, while Isak is now among Europe's most coveted strikers. He even scored against Liverpool in last season's Carabao Cup final, helping Newcastle end its long wait for a trophy.
His current market value is well over $137m, and he still has a substantial contract at St James' Park. Newcastle has no intention of selling, but clubs like Arsenal and Liverpool have been linked, with the Reds reportedly shortlisting him along with two other No.9s.
Liverpool is thought to have held meetings over Alexander Isak long before he made the move to Newcastle
Liverpool is thought to have held meetings over Alexander Isak long before he made the move to Newcastle (Image: George Wood/Getty Images)
In addition to Isak, they are also monitoring Hugo Ekitike and Victor Osimhen. Current frontman Nunez has been associated with a move away, with Serie A heavyweights Napoli showing particular interest.
If he departs, finding a replacement will be Liverpool's top priority.
Despite the Premier League champions' significant spending this summer, their PSR situation allows them to continue investing, and Arne Slot is keen on adding more firepower. Osimhen would be a very cost-effective option, and he has demonstrated for years that he can consistently score goals.
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The Nigerian seems to have little future at Napoli after spending last season on loan with Turkish giants Galatasaray. The 26-year-old still managed to net 37 goals in all competitions last term.
Osimhen reportedly has a €75M ($88M) release clause in his contract with parent club Napoli.
Ekitike, meanwhile, has had an outstanding year with Frankfurt - a performance that has not gone unnoticed by Chelsea and Manchester United. The German club has claimed it will sell if it cannot meet the striker's ambitions.
* An AI tool was used to add an extra layer to the editing process for this story. You can read the original story in the Mirror by clicking here.