The chances of Liverpool snatching Erling Haaland away from Borussia Dortmund ahead of their major European rivals have always been slim.
The opportunity to sign the Norwegian sensation was probably before he moved to Germany, not afterwards, though even then his carefully mapped out career - steered by agent Mino Raiola - would have made that move tough.
Next summer, clubs can sign the 21-year-old for a 'bargain' £64m, with almost every club who can afford that sort of sum being linked - though the true cost of signing him is rather more expensive.
"Dortmund have said if there is a crazy offer this summer - £200m or whatever - they will think about it, but their plan is to keep him another year," said Bundesliga journalist Constantin Eckner on a special podcast exclusively for members of the Blood Red Club.
"They will then pocket the €75m (£63.9m) which is release clause from next summer. They can plan for that because one club will come and sign him - that is a given.
"Will it be Liverpool? I doubt it. The financial part, Liverpool might not be in a situation to do that deal, but I am never sure.
"Real Madrid are interested in Haaland but they couldn't offer Raphael Varane a big contract now, so I'm not sure about some of the finances there either.
"Barcelona have money for transfers but it is still dicey for them. PSG, Chelsea and Man City have the money and City have the Alfie Haaland connection [his father previously played for them].
"If there is no cap on agents fees, which there are still talks about this with FIFA, then it could be €20m to Mino Raiola, €15m to Alfie Haaland, and €20m yearly salary over a five-year contract.
"Even with the €75m transfer clause, it is a huge deal to do."
Combining all of those elements would see a €210m economic commitment needing to be made over five years, even on a reduced transfer fee for the player, whose market value is considerably more than €75m given his age and record.
That conservative estimate goes a long way to explaining why a move to Anfield is unlikely - though Premier League rivals like Man City and Chelsea, you suspect, would not be put off.
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