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Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak(Image: Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images)

It wasn't that long ago Liverpool were on the receiving end of Newcastle United's desire to show their ambition as a major force in the Premier League.

Now the Reds once again find themselves having to negotiate such aspirations as the prospect of Alexander Isak moving to Anfield becomes a tantalisingly real proposition.

Back in March, it was Isak whose well-taken goal ultimately ensured Newcastle beat Liverpool in the League Cup final to earn the Magpies their first domestic trophy in 70 years.

Liverpool's admiration of the player, though, stretches back long before then with head coach Arne Slot and sporting director Richard Hughes having embarked on a long-term plan to overhaul their forward line and future-proof the latest Anfield evolution.

READ MORE:Alexander Isak asks to leave Newcastle as Liverpool consider stunning transferREAD MORE:Hugo Ekitike next steps as striker joins Liverpool squad after £79m transfer

That continued on Wednesday with the purchase of Hugo Ekitike in an initial £69million deal from Eintracht Frankfurt, the France under-21 international meeting up with his new team-mates in Hong Kong on Thursday.

But at almost the same time, it emerged Isak wasn't on the plane that jetted out for Newcastle's own tour of the Far East.

And, evidently, Isak wants to come, with reports from those close to the forward suggesting he isn't keen on a move to Saudi Arabia at this stage of his career despite the promise of a salary with which the Reds and Newcastle simply cannot compete.

The one sticking point, of course, is Newcastle themselves, who are under no obligation to sell and have been steadfast in such a stance.

Rightly so.

Why shouldn't they want to keep their best player, especially when the chief interested party are a club they view as one to whom they want to become direct rivals in the coming years?

Indeed, if Newcastle manage to ride out the remaining five weeks of the transfer window and keep hold of Isak, it will be seen as a major victory for the Magpies.

Liverpool know better than most it can be done.

None has thus far been negotiated, with fears it could prompt many of his team-mates to ask for improved terms and threaten the club navigating the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability Rules.

And that there are suggestions Newcastle are already exploring possible replacements for Isak indicates they are already compelled to take a realistic view on the matter.

Slot will embrace rotation more readily this season, and there would no doubt be room for both Ekitike and Isak on occasion.

There will be understandable debate over quite how Liverpool can afford to commit £130m on a player when they've already splashed out almost £300m this summer with a new centre-back also likely to be recruited.

But the Reds' prudency in recent years - they brought in just one signing for immediate squad use during the last three transfer windows - and careful transfer planning is now coming to fruition.

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Even if the Giorgi Mamardashvili deal is included in the tally, Liverpool made a profit in the transfer window last summer and have brought in almost £65m this time around.
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