Alexander Isak 'scouted' at World Cup as club mull over shock move for Liverpool star

Alexander Isak is being linked with a transfer out of Liverpool less than a year after joining from Newcastle United.

Isak broke the British transfer record when he joined the Reds for a whopping £125million last September, and his arrival was supposed to galvanise a title challenge.

However, during a disappointing campaign under Arne Slot, which included a fifth place finish in the Premier League, the Swedish international was also left heavily frustrated.

The 26-year-old fractured his ankle in December during a 2-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur, and as a result, only played 21 per cent of his teams minutes, scoring just four goals in all competitions.

Isak will hope his second season on Merseyside under new manager Andoni Iraola is much more prosperous, but as it stands, there is a chance he could leave Liverpool only 10 months after joining the club.

According to Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona are "closely watching" Isak play for Sweden in the World Cup and they will be impressed with what they've seen so far.

The former Newcastle United marksman has produced one goal and three assists in his opening three matches to help set up a round of 32 clash against France on Tuesday night.

Isak was once targeted by Barca two years ago before the Reds made a strong push to sign him, and now he could be an ideal replacement for veteran Robert Lewandowski, who left the Spanish giants on a free transfer in May.

Emile Heskey has already said what Isak 'needs' to do at Liverpool

While speculation over Isak's future is understandable, it's unlikely FSG would consider selling him for less than nine figures, especially since his contract still has five years left to run.

Realistically, Iraola will want Liverpool's record signing to be the centrepiece of their plans next season, and a strong World Cup can be the catalyst for his fortunes to turnaround.

READ MORE: Man City plot £100m swoop for Premier League star to ruin rival's transfer plans

Four returns in three matches ahead of their showdown against France is promising and it suggests his confidence has returned after an injury disrupted campaign.

That being said, for all of his goalscoring talents, former Liverpool striker Emile Heskey is more concerned about him coming back super fit and ready to take on the challenge of Iraola's aggressive system.

"I think for him it's about having a good summer and just refocusing on what you want to achieve with Liverpool," Heskey recently said at the Panini pop-up shop in Selfridges.

"Coming back super fit because that's one of the major things that a lot of the fans are disappointed in, his fitness levels.

"Coming back super fit so you're ready to really put that shift in. The thing with Liverpool fans, if you put that work in, they'll back you to the hilt. He needs to be able to do that."

Isak was known for his aggressiveness off the ball during his time at Newcastle, setting the standard with his unrelenting pressing from the front.

Liverpool supporters are waiting to see those attributes from their No. 9; however, a strong pre-season could lay the foundations for success under Iraola as he aims to showcase why the Reds broke their transfer record to sign him.