Liverpool are threatening to do it again.
At first it was Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, swept away from Arsenal in the blink of an eye in August 2017.
Then, less than 12 months later, barely hours after it emerged there was interest in Monaco defensive midfielder Fabinho, the deal was done and dusted.
In September 2020, few could have envisaged the pursuit of a forward resulting in Diogo Jota being snapped up from Wolverhampton Wanderers until mere days before the transfer was completed.
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And now the Reds have stepped out of the shadows again to close in on the type of signing that has long been a staple of Fenway Sports Group.
The move for Porto forward Luis Diaz is the latest example of how Liverpool are increasingly keeping their transfer business under the radar while open to opportunistic moves in the market.
Such discretion, while not uniform throughout the Premier League, is welcomed by many clubs.
Yes, Liverpool's hand has been forced somewhat by the strong interest from Tottenham Hotspur in the player, Antonio Conte having earmarked the Colombia international - who was being pursued by Everton last summer - as a prime target.
But that the Reds' recruitment team have sought to move early for a player they were looking to tie up after the end of the season underlines why they, backed by FSG, will reappraise their plans whenever they deem it necessary.
Of course, nothing is concluded. With the player in South America representing his country in World Cup qualifiers at present, there remain some logistical barriers to overcome before the deal can be copper-bottomed ahead of Monday's 11pm deadline.
Liverpool, though, are now emphatically in the box seat, helped by the player’s reported preference for a move to Anfield.
Completing the deal would also be a significant statement of intent from incoming sporting director Julian Ward.
Ward, who will assume the position from Michael Edwards in the summer, has been working alongside the departing man in a gradual handover of power.
With Edwards advising, Ward has been leading the negotiations. And while he already possesses a strong reputation within the game, the completion of this deal will provide extra confidence among those unaware of his previous contribution at Liverpool.
While January has rarely been a month for great business from the Reds, what they done has either been required - think Ben Davies and Ozan Kabak last year - or simply too inviting to turn down, such as the arrival of Virgil van Dijk and departure of Phillipe Coutinho in 2018.
But could the swoop for Diaz this be the sign of a big summer for Liverpool?
Clearly, the bringing forward of interest in the Porto man underlines the Reds are already deep into preparations for the next transfer window.
And few doubt that, after a few relatively quiet years in the market and having spent last summer instead concentrating on new contracts, the squad is ripe for further evolution and a slight refresh. Diaz won't be the only new face.
Worth remembering, though, is Klopp and FSG have already started the process of gradually remoulding the squad.
Diaz would fit such a template having only just turned 25. Present Liverpool forwards Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane will all be in their thirties this summer.
Should the Diaz deal go through, Liverpool would have committed a potential total outlay of more than £170m in the last 18 months having already snapped up Kostas Tsimikas, Thiago Alcantara, Diogo Jota and Ibrahima Konate, as well as signing promising youngster Kaide Gordon.
It isn't done yet. But Diaz would be a further sign of the Reds heading into the next phase of Klopp's tenure.
