Newcastle United have agreed a deal to sell Alexander Isak to Liverpool, but the decision to let him go was made much earlier.
It emerged on Sunday that Newcastle would sell Isak for less than their £150million asking price, and now an agreement is in place between the Magpies and the Premier League champions.
Liverpool will pay £125million for Isak, with the forward set to head to Merseyside to complete what will be a British record deal.
Newcastle United are finally bowing down to the 25-year-old’s demands, despite being adamant that he would only go if his asking price was met and a replacement was secured.
Neither of those terms have been met, but Newcastle decided that it was best to part ways after meeting with the player on Monday, 25th August.
Alexander Isak warms up before playing for Newcastle United against Everton.
Photo by George Wood/Getty Images
Newcastle United decided to sell Alexander Isak after Jamie Reuben meeting
Transfer expert Graeme Bailey has exclusively spoken to Geordie Boot Boys about the Alexander Isak deal, stating that Newcastle United decided they needed to sell the Sweden international a week before reaching this agreement with Liverpool.
“Alexander Isak is leaving Newcastle United, the summer’s biggest saga is coming to an end,” he said.
“I am told that Newcastle accepted last week that Isak could go. They held their meeting with the player which included Jamie Reuben. He reported the situation back to the rest of the club’s hierarchy.
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“At that point they knew it was done.”
What Newcastle United will do on deadline day after agreeing to sell Alexander Isak
While the fee is less than what Newcastle wanted, the biggest concern on deadline day is that a replacement has not been bought.
Nick Woltemade has joined Newcastle, but Eddie Howe needs another forward having also seen Callum Wilson leave this summer.
Bailey has told Geordie Boot Boys that the Magpies are working on bringing in a striker before the transfer window closes at 7pm.
He said: “Newcastle are now focused on adding another striker on Monday and they are working hard.”
In terms of a replacement, Geordie Boot Boys are told that Randal Kolo Muani and Lois Openda are being discussed, while Jorgen Strand Larsen remains an option too.