Liverpool smash transfer record to sign Alexander Isak from Newcastle

Liverpool have secured the signing of Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak in a British-record £125 million ($169 million) deal after a lengthy transfer saga that dominated the Premier League window.

The Sweden international has penned a six-year contract with the reigning champions, joining just ahead of Monday’s 1800 GMT deadline.

Speaking to Liverpool’s website, Isak said: “I feel amazing. It’s been a long journey to get here. But I’m super-happy to be a part of this team, this club and everything it stands for. It’s something I’m proud of and I’m really looking forward to it. I’m just happy it’s done and that I can get back to work.”

Liverpool initially had a £110 million offer rejected in August, but Isak pushed to leave Newcastle, training alone at his former club Real Sociedad during pre-season. He missed the Magpies’ pre-season tour of Asia with a supposed thigh injury and accused the club of going back on a promise to allow him to leave if a top club came calling.

Despite Newcastle manager Eddie Howe’s insistence on keeping him, Newcastle’s signing of Stuttgart striker Nick Woltemade cleared the way for the move. Isak, 25, scored 27 goals in 42 games last season, helping Newcastle qualify for the Champions League and end a 56-year trophy drought with a League Cup triumph over Liverpool.

His arrival takes Liverpool’s spending since last season to an estimated £416 million, surpassing Chelsea’s previous record of £400 million in 2023. The club had already signed Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen for £100 million, alongside Hugo Ekitike, Milos Kerkez, Jeremie Frimpong, Giorgi Mamardashvili, Armin Pecsi, and Giovanni Leoni.

Isak’s signing sets a new record for a fee paid by a British club, overtaking Chelsea’s £107 million purchase of Enzo Fernandez in 2023. Liverpool’s squad overhaul also saw Federico Chiesa arrive for £10 million, while players including Luis Diaz, Darwin Nunez, and Trent Alexander-Arnold were sold, earning the club about £190 million.

With Isak leading an attack featuring Mohamed Salah, Wirtz, Ekitike, Cody Gakpo, and Chiesa, Liverpool boss Arne Slot aims to retain the Premier League title and push for a seventh Champions League crown. Liverpool currently top the Premier League table with a perfect record after defeating Arsenal 1-0 on Sunday.