Liverpool have agreed a British record transfer fee with Newcastle United for star striker Alexander Isak.
After a hellacious month following confirmation of his intentions to leave, it looks as though the transfer saga is now coming to an end, and it is unclear who the real winner is.
Alexander Isak has refused to play for Newcastle United since reports surfaced claiming he was exploring his options away from the club this summer. PIF and Newcastle have been adamant that they would not be willing to sell the Sweden international, and would only accept an offer worth £150m.
However, reports on Sunday evening stated that Newcastle were now willing to accept £130m for Isak.
Now, reports are flooding in with a major new development confirming an accepted bid for the 25-year-old striker.
Alexander Isak looks on during a Premier League game between Newcastle United and Everton.
Photo by George Wood/Getty Images
Solidarity payments explained as Liverpool agree Alexander Isak deal
It has come at the very beginning of deadline day, but Isak will be delighted with the outcome.
Isak made claims of broken promises at Newcastle, but he cannot deny that the club have now fed into his wishes, as it has been reported that Liverpool have had an offer in the region of £130m for the striker accepted.
The Sweden international was due to travel for international duty after receiving a call-up, but he will now have to reroute to Merseyside for his medical.
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It is not the £150m Newcastle were hoping for, but the sale will see a new British transfer record set. Isak will now become Newcastle’s most expensive sale in history by almost £100m, with the previous record being Elliot Anderson’s transfer to Nottingham Forest in 2024.
£5m of the move has been set aside for ‘solidarity’, meaning that clubs who have contributed to Isak’s training between the ages of 12 and 23 will receive a small sum of money from the deal. So in this case, it will likely be the Swedish side AIK, Borussia Dortmund and Real Sociedad.
Newcastle could also receive a small sum of that solidarity, as he joined the club at the age of 22.
Newcastle United have time to sign a new striker on deadline day
It was only a matter of time before Isak got the move he had been pushing so hard for, but it could have been much easier for everyone if he had stuck in before a deal was agreed.
Newcastle must now work to sign a replacement for Isak, and with the deal being agreed upon at this time, it gives them ample time to find a new striker.
Reports have stated that Newcastle are still hoping to sign Brentford’s Yoane Wissa, even after being quoted £65m for the 28-year-old. Elsewhere, Jorgen Strand Larsen is still on Newcastle’s list of targets, but Wolves are not showing much encouragement that they will be able to sign him.
Isak will give Newcastle a major PSR boost, one which will be felt at the club for a long time.
Liverpool will have to change their game plan with Isak arriving, but Newcastle are left wondering who they can now sign.