Isak is set to cost a new British record fee, with Newcastle demanding over twice as much as the £63m they paid Real Sociedad three years ago. He could cost as much as £150m if Newcastle play hardball. It remains to be seen whether or not Liverpool can afford such a spend outright this summer, but those funds may yet be raised through three deals.

If any club has the funds to pull off this deal, it is Al Hilal. Not only are they one of the four clubs owned by Saudi Arabia’s Private Investment Fund (PIF), but they also benefit from the support of billionaire Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, who can help underwrite exceptional deals such as this one.