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Liverpool has rarely made more of a statement signing that Alexander Isak. Even Gary Neville has had to admit that the Swede is one of the best center-forwards in the world.
In truth, even that might be an understatement. At least on last season's evidence, Isak might be the very best around.
And now, finally, he's at Anfield, moving to play under Arne Slot in a transfer that was all summer in the making. Liverpool's record spend in this window is the epitome of strengthening from a position of strength, with the Reds now favorites to retain their Premier League title.
So there's precious little to be disappointed about. The collapse of Marc Guehi's deadline day move was something of a blow, but Liverpool should have enough to get by in defense, especially after Joe Gomez stayed put.
Giovanni Leoni is an exciting addition at the back. And while uncertainty remains over Ibrahima Konate's long-term future at the club, Slot will at least be able to call upon his services this year, alongside the timeless Virgil van Dijk.
Adding Isak into a side that has already won three out of three, including games against Arsenal and Newcastle, should bring a sense of unbridled excitement. But while Danny Murphy did express his sense of anticipation, he also found something that "disappointed" him amid the transfer saga.
"If you were to choose a center forward looking around Europe, he'd be at the top of most people's lists," eulogized Murphy on talkSPORT. "So I think Liverpool fans will be ecstatic, excited.
"The only disappointment is... the saga around it. It's not helped anyone.
"It's not helped a player in terms of what he's obviously been through. Newcastle, it's not helped them having to do business late and try and get replacements in and the drag on for them.
"It's not helped Liverpool because when you get a new player in of such quality, you want him to have some weeks with the lads, building up relationships, getting his fitness up and starting the season with them."
Liverpool won't be losing too much sleep over the fact that Newcastle had to do its business late. After all, Richard Hughes had indicated a willingness to do a deal for Isak weeks before it actually happened, proposing a price in July that ended up being within $7 million of the final figure.
However, Murphy's concerns about the delay in bedding Isak in at Liverpool do hold some weight. The striker has at least travelled for international duty with Sweden, but any game time he gets would be his first minutes since the season ended.
With that in mind, the Sweden boss has ruled out starting Isak in today's match against Slovenia. There's no guarantee that he even makes it off the bench.
Meanwhile, Isak himself revealed that while he is targeting the Burnley game, everyone will have to assess closer to the time exactly how much he is ready to give. The striker chalked that up to what he euphemistically called a "tricky summer".
Fortunately, however, Liverpool has Hugo Ekitike on hand. His start to the season has had many questioning whether the Reds even need Isak.
And even if the 25-year-old takes a few weeks to truly settle at Anfield, there can be little doubt that it will all be worth it in the end. While the manner of Isak's transfer was not perfect, it's only a matter of time before that is consigned to barely-remembered history.
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