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Liverpool have secured Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak in a British-record £125 million ($169 million) transfer, ending one of the summer’s most drawn-out Premier League sagas.
The Sweden international has signed a six-year deal with the reigning champions after Newcastle accepted an improved bid.
The 25-year-old Isak expressed his delight at joining, saying he was super-happy to be part of the club and everything it stands for.
His move followed weeks of tension, with Newcastle initially rejecting a £110 million offer in August. Determined to leave, Isak skipped parts of pre-season, trained at former club Real Sociedad, and accused Newcastle of reneging on a promise to allow him to depart for a top side.
Manager Eddie Howe had insisted on keeping the forward, who netted 27 goals in 42 appearances last season, helping Newcastle qualify for the Champions League and win the League Cup against Liverpool. However, Newcastle’s recent capture of Stuttgart striker Nick Woltemade cleared the way for Isak’s Anfield switch.
The transfer, completed after a Monday medical, pushed Liverpool’s summer spending to an estimated £416 million—surpassing Chelsea’s £400 million outlay in 2023 and setting a new Premier League record. Recent recruits include Florian Wirtz (£100 million), Hugo Ekitike, Milos Kerkez, Jeremie Frimpong, Giorgi Mamardashvili, Armin Pecsi and Giovanni Leoni.
Liverpool’s aggressive rebuild marks a stark shift in transfer strategy. Federico Chiesa was the club’s only senior signing in 2024, but this summer several key players—Luis Diaz, Darwin Nunez, Jarell Quansah, Caoimhin Kelleher, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Tyler Morton and Ben Doak—were sold, generating around £190 million.
With Isak joining an attack already boasting Mohamed Salah, Cody Gakpo, Chiesa and Ekitike, manager Arne Slot aims to defend the Premier League title and pursue a seventh Champions League crown.
Liverpool currently lead the table after three straight wins, heightening expectations for another historic season.
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