Liverpool have reached an agreement to sign Alexander Isak from Newcastle United on a six-year contract, pending a medical on , in a package Liverpool value at £125m and Newcastle at £130m after solidarity considerations — a move that would set a new Premier League transfer record, according to reporting on .
Key Takeaways
- Agreement in place for Alexander Isak to join Liverpool; medical scheduled for Monday.
- Structure valued at £130m to Newcastle and £125m in Liverpool outlay; would break the Premier League transfer record.
- Record eclipses Chelsea’s £106m signing of Enzo Fernandez from Benfica in January 2023.
- Isak set for a six-year deal after Newcastle rejected an earlier £110m bid; a price near £120m had been discussed.
- Isak missed Newcastle’s entire pre-season and first three league fixtures; he scored 27 goals in 42 appearances last season.
- Newcastle signed Nick Woltemade for a club-record €75m and had bids of £50m and £55m for Jorgen Strand Larsen turned down.
- Liverpool’s summer spend now exceeds £250m, including Hugo Ekitike, Florian Wirtz, Milos Kerkez, Jeremie Frimpong and Giovanni Leoni.
- Liverpool opened their title defence with three wins: 4-2 vs Bournemouth, 3-2 vs Newcastle, and 1-0 vs Arsenal.
Verified Facts
The Athletic reports Liverpool have agreed terms with Newcastle for Alexander Isak in a deal that both clubs value differently due to solidarity mechanisms: Newcastle at approximately £130m and Liverpool at £125m (about $176m). The transfer would set a new Premier League benchmark, surpassing Chelsea’s £106m signing of Enzo Fernandez in January 2023.
Isak is due to undergo a medical on Monday, after which he is expected to sign a six-year contract with the reigning champions. Liverpool intensified talks over the weekend ahead of the deadline after an earlier £110m proposal was rejected. Newcastle had indicated a willingness to negotiate around £120m before this agreement.
Liverpool’s business earlier this summer included a total package of £116m for Florian Wirtz (an initial £100m plus £16m in potential add-ons). Their overall spend for the window exceeds £250m when factoring in arrivals such as Ekitike, Kerkez, Frimpong and Leoni.
Isak did not appear in Newcastle’s pre-season or in any of their first three league matches, including a 3-2 defeat to Liverpool at St James’ Park on August 25. In July, The Athletic reported Isak wanted to leave; he later trained individually with former club Real Sociedad and did not resume full training with Newcastle.
On August 19, Isak stated publicly that his relationship with Newcastle “can’t continue.” Newcastle responded that their conditions for a sale had not yet been met, while leaving the door open for his reintegration. Before the August 25 match, a delegation including minority owner Jamie Reuben and members of PIF (among them director Jacobo Solis) visited the player for talks.
Context & Impact
For Liverpool, Isak is viewed as a complete No 9 who can elevate their forward depth alongside this summer’s marquee additions. The deal — likely to be the most expensive in Premier League history — signals a decisive push to sustain their title defence after a perfect three-game start to the season.
For Newcastle, the move concludes a drawn-out saga that overshadowed their summer. The club-record signing of Nick Woltemade from Stuttgart has addressed part of the striker void, but further recruitment up front remains in play after bids for Jorgen Strand Larsen were rejected and a pursuit of Hugo Ekitike ended with his move to Liverpool.
Ownership dynamics are central to the outcome: while the public stance for much of the window was that Isak was not for sale, major decisions ultimately rest with the majority stakeholders at PIF. The resolution allows Eddie Howe to refocus the squad and address any dressing-room fallout.
Newcastle’s Summer Centre-Forward Timeline
- July: Isak’s desire to leave reported; player trains away from the squad.
- Aug 19: Isak issues public statement; club reiterates sale conditions not met.
- Aug 25: Club delegation, including PIF representatives, meets Isak at his home.
- Aug 30-31: Agreement accelerates; Isak excluded from early-season fixtures.
- Aug 31: Nick Woltemade signed from Stuttgart for a club-record €75m.
- Late Aug: Two bids (£50m, then £55m) for Jorgen Strand Larsen rejected.
Liverpool’s 2025 Summer Business (selected)
- Florian Wirtz — total package £116m (initial £100m + up to £16m bonuses).
- Hugo Ekitike, Milos Kerkez, Jeremie Frimpong, Giovanni Leoni — undisclosed fees.
- Alexander Isak — agreement at £125m outlay to Liverpool, pending medical.
- Total committed spend this window: 250m+.
Official Statements
We want clarity.
Eddie Howe, Newcastle United head coach (Aug 25, 2025)
I’m focused on the players that want to play for Newcastle.
Eddie Howe, post-match comments (Aug 25, 2025)
Our relationship can’t continue.
Alexander Isak, Aug 19, 2025 statement
Unconfirmed
- Final breakdown of the £125m/£130m figures, including any add-ons or timing of payments, has not been disclosed.
- Completion remains subject to Isak passing his medical and final contract execution.
- Registration and announcement timelines have not been made public.
- Newcastle’s plan to recruit a second striker before the deadline is not confirmed.
Bottom Line
Liverpool have moved to sign Alexander Isak in a record-breaking deal that reshapes their attack and closes a protracted chapter for Newcastle. Provided the medical and paperwork are completed, the Premier League champions will add last season’s 27-goal striker to a squad already reinforced heavily this summer — a statement of intent at the start of their title defence.