Liverpool[1] took their summer spending to just shy of £450million with the British record £125m arrival of Alexander Isak on Monday night.
Isak, who will wear the No 9 shirt at Anfield, said: ‘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.’
While Liverpool welcomed Isak with a pre-planned video and a statement packed with excitement, Newcastle confirmed his exit in just 37 words.
Their announcement mentioned only his appearances and transfer fee — with no thanks, no tribute, and no mention of his Carabao Cup[2] final heroics. It read: ‘Newcastle United[3] can announce the sale of striker Alexander Isak to Liverpool for a significant British record transfer fee. The Sweden international joined the Magpies from Real Sociedad in 2022 and made 109 appearances in all competitions.’
Isak arrived on Merseyside late on Monday morning and completed his medical in two parts, then posed for pictures at the AXA Training Centre before departing in mid-afternoon and boarding a 6.30pm flight to Stockholm to join up with his international team-mates.
He put pen to paper on a six-year deal and trumps the previous British transfer record that Chelsea[4] paid for Moises Caicedo two years ago, also eclipsing Liverpool’s record signing of £116m for Florian Wirtz[5] earlier this summer.
Liverpool have officially confirmed a British-record deal for Newcastle striker Alexander Isak
The Swedish striker will inherit the No 9 jersey formerly worn by Darwin Nunez who left the club this summer
Arne Slot has landed his target after a protracted saga lasting much of the summer window
Sweden striker Isak established himself as one of the Premier League’s leading attackers during his three seasons at St James’ Park.
Having arrived from Real Sociedad in the summer of 2022, he scored 62 goals in 109 appearances for Newcastle. That included 54 in 86 Premier League outings, with 23 coming last season when he finished second behind Mohamed Salah in the race for the Golden Boot.
Speaking after completing the move, he added: ‘I think I have a lot to give, I think I have a lot to improve. I’m a striker but I always want to give as much as possible to the team, mainly goals but much more than that as well. I want to win everything.’
Newcastle wasted little time reinvesting the Isak money, having already smashed their own transfer record to sign Stuttgart striker Nick Woltemade for up to £69m last week.
The 6ft 6in Germany international, nicknamed ‘Woltemessi’ by Manuel Neuer because of his surprising technical ability, scored 17 goals in 33 games for Stuttgart last season and finished as top scorer at the Under-21 European Championship.
The 23-year-old has signed a six-year contract at St James’ Park and is viewed as a long-term replacement in attack.
Then came a £55m deal for Yoane Wissa, who had been pushing for a move after scoring 19 non-penalty goals in the Premier League last season.
The 28-year-old DR Congo forward, who turns 29 this week, will add proven top-flight pedigree to a frontline suddenly missing its talisman.
Isak arrived on Merseyside to undergo his medical and sign his contract on deadline day
Sweden striker Isak established himself as one of the Premier League’s leading attackers during his three seasons at St James’ Park
Having arrived from Real Sociedad in the summer of 2022, he scored 62 goals in 109 appearances for Newcastle
Wissa had publicly urged Brentford to ‘keep their word’ and allow him to leave, with the Bees eventually accepting Newcastle’s offer on deadline day.
The Magpies were also linked with Wolves striker Jorgen Strand Larsen, but with little time for a replacement at Molineux, that move fell through.
For Liverpool, many have hailed this transfer window as one of the best in history, with Arne Slot’s side splashing a whopping £446m. Other arrivals include Hugo Ekitike, Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez, Giovanni Leoni and Giorgi Mamardashvili.
They have also raised significant funds in outgoings with Harvey Elliott leaving the club on deadline day for Aston Villa. He was given the green light to complete a medical and the teams agreed on an initial loan deal with an obligation to buy for £35m, with a buy-back clause.
But defender Joe Gomez was not permitted to leave despite holding talks with AC Milan. Brighton and Crystal Palace also considered signing the Reds’ longest-serving player but no move materialised.
The will-he-won’t-he saga involving Guehi went right down to the wire. An agreement came in mid-afternoon on Monday, with the England international given permission to undergo a medical.
But after crunch talks between Glasner and chairman Parish, Guehi was told to stay at Selhurst Park. Liverpool submitted a deal sheet on time, giving them an extra two hours to complete the deal, but Palace pulled the plug due to Glasner’s grievances.
Sources say that Liverpool remain strong admirers of Guehi and remain open to signing him in the future, whether in January for a cut-price fee or next summer, when he is expected to be a free agent.
References
- ^ Liverpool (www.dailymail.co.uk)
- ^ Carabao Cup (www.dailymail.co.uk)
- ^ Newcastle United (www.dailymail.co.uk)
- ^ Chelsea (www.dailymail.co.uk)
- ^ Florian Wirtz (www.dailymail.co.uk)