Liverpool agree fee with Newcastle to sign Alexander Isak
Alexander Isak is set to get his wish and join Liverpool
The longest-running transfer saga of the summer looks set to be resolved on deadline day with Liverpool agreeing a fee with Newcastle for striker Alexander Isak.
Multiple reports this morning suggest the Merseysiders will pay a fixed amount of £125million for Isak with the Sweden striker signing a six-year contract at Anfield.
It represents a British record fee, beating the previous best set by Liverpool earlier in the window when they signed Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen in a deal that could rise to £116m.
Newcastle relent and accept Liverpool offer
Newcastle had insisted all summer that Isak would not be sold unless they were able to buy a replacement – for both him and Callum Wilson, whose contract expired at the end of last season – and they received what they considered a suitable offer.
Liverpool saw an earlier bid, reportedly around the £110m mark, rejected, leading to an impasse.
Isak missed Newcastle’s pre-season tour of Asia and issued a statement in which he expressed his desire to leave Tyneside, claiming “promises were broken and trust is lost” and that “the relationship can’t continue.”
In the meantime, Liverpool signed Hugo Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt, ironically one of Newcastle’s leading targets to replace Isak.
Summer of frustration for Newcastle
Newcastle were frustrated further when the likes of Joao Pedro, Liam Delap, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko all opted to reject moves to St James’ Park.
Newcastle finally made a major breakthrough at the weekend when they signed beanpole forward Nick Woltemade from Stuttgart for a club record £69m.
It seems likely they will sign another forward to play alongside Woltemade today with long-term target Yoane Wissa taking to social media at the weekend to express his desire to leave Brentford.