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Liverpool have completed the signing of Swedish striker Alexander Isak from Newcastle United in what is now the most expensive transfer in Premier League history. The deal is valued at £130 million, with Liverpool paying £125 million after solidarity payments, surpassing Chelsea’s record £106 million signing of Enzo Fernandez from Benfica in 2023.
Isak signed a six-year contract and will wear the famous No. 9 shirt at Anfield. He underwent a medical on Monday before completing the move, which marks another huge step in Liverpool’s summer rebuild. The reigning champions had earlier broken the £100 million barrier for Florian Wirtz, but this deal for Isak underlines just how much faith they have in him as a striker who can lead their attack for years to come.
The transfer ends a long and tense saga between Newcastle, Liverpool, and the player himself. Newcastle had insisted throughout the summer that Isak was not for sale, repeatedly rejecting offers, including Liverpool’s initial £110 million bid. They had placed a £150 million valuation on him, but their stance began to soften in recent weeks as it became clear Isak was determined to leave.
The 25-year-old’s relationship with Newcastle deteriorated after he made it clear he no longer wanted to stay. He missed pre-season, skipped matches, and even trained separately with his former club, Real Sociedad, instead of joining Newcastle’s tour of Asia. On August 19, Isak released a statement saying his relationship with Newcastle “can’t continue.” The club responded by saying their conditions for a sale had not been met, but by then it was clear his time on Tyneside was coming to an end.
Liverpool, meanwhile, stayed patient. They refused to chase alternative strikers and focused only on Isak, convinced he was the right player for them. Once Newcastle’s ownership signaled a willingness to talk, Liverpool moved quickly to finalize the record deal.
Eddie Howe, Newcastle’s manager, had said repeatedly that he was concentrating on players who wanted to be part of the squad. After Newcastle’s 3-2 defeat to Liverpool in August, Howe admitted he wanted “clarity” and a chance to move forward without the constant distraction of Isak’s uncertain future. The deal now allows him and the club to focus on building with new players, including record signing Nick Woltemade from Stuttgart.
Isak’s departure will sting for Newcastle supporters, as he was their top scorer last season with 27 goals in 42 appearances, finishing second only to Mohamed Salah in the league. But his decision to force the move damaged his relationship with fans and teammates, making his continued presence difficult. For Newcastle’s owners, led by the Public Investment Fund, selling him for a figure short of their original demand may feel like a compromise, but it brings an end to a disruptive situation that had dragged through the summer.
For Liverpool, the signing is a major statement. Having already brought in Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, Milos Kerkez, Jeremie Frimpong, and Giovanni Leoni, the club has now spent over £250 million this summer to strengthen their squad. Their strong start to the season, with victories over Bournemouth, Newcastle, and Arsenal, shows they are determined to defend their title, and the addition of Isak gives them one of the most dangerous forward lines in Europe.
Liverpool believe Isak is the most complete striker available and see him as a perfect fit for their system. His movement, finishing, and ability to link play should ease the burden on Mohamed Salah and add depth in attack. The fact that they were willing to wait all summer, refusing to pursue other options, shows the level of belief in his potential.
In the end, it was Isak or no one for Liverpool. Now they have their man, and the Premier League has a new record signing who will be under huge pressure to deliver at Anfield.