Liverpool have agreed a British-record £125m fee with Newcastle United for striker Alexander Isak, with the Sweden international expected to undergo a medical on Monday. The deal, which includes no add-ons, will see Isak sign a six-year contract worth £300,000 per week, making him the most expensive signing in British football history.
The transfer ends a protracted and acrimonious saga that began when Liverpool's initial £110m bid was rejected on 1 August. Newcastle had insisted Isak was not for sale, but the player subsequently downed tools, missing pre-season with a reported thigh injury and later training alone at his former club Real Sociedad. He accused Newcastle of breaking a promise to allow him to leave if a suitable offer from a big club arrived.
Newcastle's acceptance of the £125m fee, which falls short of their £150m valuation, was influenced by Isak's public stance and their own £70m signing of Nick Woltemade, plus attempts to sign Yoane Wissa or Jørgen Strand Larsen. A loyalty payment saving effectively makes the deal worth £130m to Newcastle.
The transfer marks the second time this summer Liverpool have broken their own British record, following the £100m plus £16m in add-ons paid for Florian Wirtz in June. Liverpool's total summer spending now exceeds £440m, offset by over £210m in player sales. The champions may further raise funds by selling Harvey Elliott or Joe Gomez, with Aston Villa interested in Elliott and Milan offering €15m for Gomez.
