The biggest transfer saga of the summer window is on the verge of concluding with Alexander Isak close to joining Liverpool.
The Premier League champions have finally agreed a deal with Newcastle United worth £125 million ($168 million), The Athletic and others report. The Magpies will receive an additional £5 million in solidarity payments, seeing the final transfer fee reach £130 million ($176 million). Isak will undergo a medical on Monday and reportedly sign a six-year deal.
For the second time this summer, Liverpool will set a new Premier League transfer record, with Isak overtaking what the Reds paid to acquire Florian Wirtz earlier in the window.
Talks between clubs intensified on Sunday with the impending transfer deadline looming. Mere hours before the window closed, Liverpool have struck a deal for the 25-year-old.
Isak publicly stated his desire to leave Newcastle in favour of a move to Liverpool weeks ago, citing that his relationship with the club couldn’t continue. However, Newcastle rapidly responded denying Isak’s allegations while insisting they didn’t expect him to leave.
Liverpool saw a £110 million ($145.4 million) bid for Isak rejected in early August. Newcastle’s stance was the Sweden international wasn’t for sale, but The Athletic reports that in recent days the club began operating under the impression Isak was bound for Merseyside.
Newcastle have signed Nick Woltemade from VfB Stuttgart for a club record fee, and although he was viewed internally as more of a Callum Wilson replacement, the move fuelled speculation surrounding Isak. The Magpies are now working on completing the transfer of Brentford’s Yoane Wissa, who has expressed his desire to leave the Bees.
On a day Liverpool bested Arsenal in an early-season matchup that could have massive title ramifications, the Reds are also close to completing the signing of one of the best strikers in world football.
READ THE LATEST TRANSFER NEWS AND RUMORS FROM WORLD SOCCER
This article was originally published on www.si.com as Reports: Liverpool Agree Premier League Record Deal for Alexander Isak.
