When Liverpool made it clear they'd be willing to offer £120 million for Alexander Isak, the footballing world took notice, and so did Isak himself.
Despite the Reds completing the £69 million signing of Hugo Ekitike from Entiracht Frankfurt last week, Liverpool never wavered in their interest to sign the Swedish striker. So, when it was reported he told Newcastle that he wanted to explore an exit, alarm bells began ringing everywhere.
However, the club, having spent more this summer already than the previous several windows combined, could do with an injection of cash.
So the news Sunday that they had agreed to sell Luis Diaz to Bayern Munich for around £65.5m was just what they needed.
Fresh Approach Being Readied
Armed with this fresh influx of money, on top of some other sales this summer, the Reds are ready to wade back into the Isak waters after Newcastle held firm last time that he would not be moved.
However, how quickly things have changed. The Magpies are now deep in negotiations for RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko, a clear sign they are preparing for life without their talisman forward.
In addition, the player has voiced his desire to facilitate a move, so the many negotiating cards Newcastle once held are all falling by the wayside.
Richard Hughes and Arne Slot have both reportedly targeted Isak as the dream signing this summer which is saying a lot during a window they brought a talent like Florian Wirtz to Anfield.
It remains to be seen if Liverpool will improve upon their initial £120m offer or if the changed landscape means they might hold steady or come back over-the-top to finish the job. It looks more and more likely that Liverpool will be able to muscle a deal across the line.
Isak Only Wants Liverpool
Reporting from Fabrizio Romano has shared that for his part, Isak has no doubts on where he wants to play next season and that is Anfield.
He is not currently in talks with any Saudi clubs despite reports of a £600,000 a week offer from Al-Hilal. This is clearly beyond just money and it is more of a sporting decision for the Sweden international.
It was his final push to Newcastle that reignited what appeared to be a dying ember of a transfer saga. It has now become a raging inferno that looks to net NUFC a massive windfall, even if it is not what they wanted to have happen this summer.
Isak only has eyes on the project under Slot at Liverpool and he could very well be the final piece to the next generation of Reds' stars.
Losing Diaz will be a hard pill to swallow for many in and around the club as he was a favorite among many people. However, his sale could be the final key to Liverpool solving their long standing No. 9 issue. A necessity that will only elevate the club this coming season and beyond.