Alexander Isak might just be the best striker in the world right now. And according to one report, Liverpool could look sensationally to prize him away from Newcastle.

A recent blank against Bournemouth ended Isak's hopes of breaking Jamie Vardy's record of scoring in 11 consecutive Premier League matches. But that it was even being mentioned is testament to his excellent December form, which saw him (ridiculously) beat Mohamed Salah to the Player of the Month award.

And this is far from an isolated purple patch. Isak has long been talked about in glowing terms, and Football Transfers claims the Anfield hierarchy has been particularly persistent — with the ultimate intention of adding him to Arne Slot's ranks.

READ MORE: Liverpool transfer news LIVE: Alexander Isak move, Rayan Cherki update, Diaz to Barcelona links

READ MORE: 'Envy of the continent' - UK media agree on Arne Slot after latest major Liverpool statement

Could this actually happen? It would certainly be far from straighforward; one recent report claimed that Newcastle values Isak at $247m (£200m).

To all intents and purposes, that seems like a "not for sale" stance. Admittedly, Barcelona thought as much about the release clause it placed in Neymar's contract all those years ago, but it would be uncharacteristic to say the least for Liverpool to test Newcastle's resolve with a bid in this region.

Having said that, it is wages more than transfer fees that FSG have traditionally balked at. And the club has recognized the importance of buying goals, breaking the club record (dependent on add-ons) with its move for Darwin Nunez two-and-a-half years ago.

Opinions on that particular move are more favorable than they were a week ago, after Nunez's dramatic double off the bench kept Liverpool firmly in the driving seat for the title. In the grand scheme of things, though, he has underperformed, and he would surely have to be the first domino to fall in order for Isak to end up at Anfield.

Nunez has been linked with a transfer to Saudi Arabia, in a move which would allow Liverpool to recoup an unlikely chunk of its initial investment. Should that happen, it would leave the Reds with money to spend and the desire to add another number nine.

What might then convince Newcastle to sell Isak? Even at the fees mentioned, it's conceivable that the Magpies would hold firm, with their ambitious Saudi owners hardly strapped for cash — and intent on taking their team to the summit of the game.

For an Isak move to be sanctioned, Newcastle may well need to find itself in a bit of "FFP" bother again. And it would undoubtedly need to have a world-class replacement lined up.

There's no word on the former front, with Newcastle (and all other Premier League sides) avoiding any Profitability and Sustainability charges for the most recent period. The summer scramble that saw the North-East outfit sell Elliot Anderson and Yankuba Minteh appears to have done the trick for the time being.

However, the same Football Transfers report does claim that Newcastle has been eyeing a move for another Swedish marksman, Viktor Gyokeres of Sporting. One of the most prolific strikers in Europe over the past couple of years, replacements for Isak would not come much better.

Of course, Newcastle could be planning a spectacular strike partnership (albeit one that was not enough to qualify Sweden for Euro 2024). But the arrival of Gyokeres would at least make the sale of Isak somewhat more palatable.

Quite why it would prioritize a transfer for Gyokeres is unclear, with other areas in more urgent need of reinforcement. But should this rather chaotic series of moves play out, Liverpool might at least be in with a sniff of landing Isak.

Liverpool.com says: Generally speaking, Newcastle has spent its new-found millions relatively wisely. It would be surprising to see the owners pursue a big-money move for Gyokeres when Isak is in such fine form.

If they did, though, it would surely be because they are open to sanctioning an Isak departure. And if he comes on the market, and Liverpool has a Nunez-shaped hole to fill, it would certainly be an upgrade, albeit a hugely expensive one.