A look at how Liverpool finally got a deal agreed for Alexander Isak to bring the Sweden striker from Newcastle to Anfield after the long-running summer saga came to an end on deadline day
When Liverpool made a £110m bid for Alexander Isak on August 1, they were taken aback by how forcefully the nine-figure offer was rejected by Newcastle.
So much so that the Reds decided they would not re-engage with the Magpies until they received encouragement to enter talks.
It was a huge bid but Newcastle were not willing to discuss. Yet they were aware that the Sweden striker was effectively on strike to force the move. There was plenty in their favour, still.
Newcastle quoting £150m far and wide was never a figure the Reds would go to. That was made clear from the off. Compromise would have to be met. In the end, it was for £125m. The end of the summer saga..
Liverpool have been long-time admirers of Isak. They were well aware of him when he was at Real Sociedad before he made the move to England to join Newcastle in 2022. That summer the Reds moved for Darwin Nunez. Isak would eventually replace the Uruguay international.
READ MORE: Transfer news LIVE: Liverpool agree £125m Isak deal, Arsenal and Man Utd latest on Deadline DayREAD MORE: Alexander Isak to Liverpool: Contract details emerge after bombshell £125m transfer agreement
Liverpool were ready to upgrade their attack this summer for a number of months. Florian Wirtz was the first arrival and then Hugo Ekitike. There were going to be outgoings.
They were aware that Luis Diaz had angled to move 12 months ago so that he could again want to leave and, with two years left on his deal, a decision would have to be made. He eventually joined Bayern Munich. Nunez has not worked out at Anfield. Arne Slot was charged last summer with trying to unlock the Uruguay striker’s potential but it was a step too far even for the impressive Dutch manager and he was sold to Al-Hilal. Two forwards gone for around £100m.
Of course, there was the tragedy of Diogo Jota and, while Liverpool’s focus has remained rightly on the loss of a human being and friend, it was also another forward player gone from their attack. That is why their pursuit of Ekitike was never a decoy as it may have felt when it emerged in mid July.
Liverpool’s desire to go for Isak had been revealed on July 15 and soon after they were progressing on a deal for Ekitike with Eintracht Frankfurt. Many theories were thrown about. One of which was it was a move to force Newcastle’s hand on Isak as they were trying to sign Ekitike as his replacement.
But it never was for Liverpool. They had watched the France Under-21 international for months, they were ahead of the Magpies when it came to player talks and they allowed their North East rivals to progress on club to club discussions so that they could see what framework on the deal Frankfurt wanted. There was no ‘hijack’.
It was never Ekitike or Isak. It was always both. They were also not concerned that taking Ekitike would delay Newcastle in getting an Isak replacement because that would not have been fair on the France striker who they had told was wanted at Anfield.
With Isak prepared to force his way out of Newcastle, Liverpool didn’t have to panic. They were also aware the Sweden striker wanted them and nobody else so there was no concern a rival could step in.
Liverpool hierarchy knew their rivals were not in a position financially to do a deal either. Nobody was willing to go to £150m in Europe and Isak had no interest in going to Saudi Arabia, where a bid of that sum could arrive from.
It was a game of patience. They had to wait on Newcastle, who were scrambling and getting embarrassed in pursuit of strikers.
Liverpool boss Slot remained calm. He insisted it wouldn’t be a gamble to let the window close without adding another attacker despite being down on numbers of last season.
But when Newcastle hierarchy went to Isak’s house last week to hold talks, their stance of not selling this summer was going to chance. They offered Isak more money and a clause inserted into his contract that would guarantee he could leave next summer for a set fee. This would be legally binding unlike the gentleman’s agreement he believes he had for this transfer window. Isak said no and insisted he still wanted to leave now, Newcastle’s top brass were stunned.
Once Newcastle landed Nick Woltemade late last week for a club record fee of £64m, it was clear that they would soon re-engage with Liverpool. Because they would have to balance their books in some way for PSR reasons. They have yet to get the second forward they want but a deal for Yoane Wissa could happen before the window closes.
Newcastle and Liverpool were back in talks over the weekend and a deal was struck on Sunday. Isak gets his move and Liverpool get one of the best strikers in world football. They’ve already started the season with three wins from three. Their rivals will be worried.
They’ve spent over £400m this summer. The champions are stronger than last season. That is ominous for the rest.
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