Liverpool have finalized a British-record transfer deal to secure Sweden international striker Alexander Isak from Newcastle United, according to multiple sources, including ESPN. The Premier League champions have accepted a staggering £125 million ($170m) bid for the talented forward. However, sources within Newcastle United indicate the finalized agreement values the transfer at a slightly higher £130 million. This monumental deal is expected to see Isak undergo a comprehensive medical examination ahead of Monday’s transfer deadline at 7:00 PM BST (2:00 PM ET). This development marks the culmination of one of the most protracted transfer sagas of the summer, with Isak actively pursuing a move away from St. James’ Park for over a month. A key indicator of his desire was his conspicuous absence from Newcastle United’s preseason tour of the Far East, and his subsequent lack of participation in Eddie Howe’s first-team squad this season. Isak’s determination was further emphasized by a dramatic public statement released earlier this month, in which he vocally claimed that promises made by the Newcastle hierarchy had been broken, asserting that a transfer this summer would be mutually beneficial. Now, Isak is poised to become the most expensive signing in Premier League history, surpassing Chelsea’s previous record acquisition of Enzo Fernández, who transferred for an initial £106.3 million from Benfica in February 2023. This transfer also represents the second time this summer that Liverpool has broken its own club transfer record, with manager Arne Slot committing an initial £100 million, plus potential £16 million in add-ons, to secure the services of Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz in June.

The situation surrounding Liverpool defender Joe Gomez has also added a layer of complexity to the transfer deadline day. Virgil van Dijk has strongly urged the club to reconsider any potential sales, particularly if they are able to secure Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi. Van Dijk highlighted Gomez’s outstanding performance against Arsenal on Sunday, stating, "It’s a very good question, because when he came on in the circumstances he is in personally, he was outstanding." He continued, "Obviously I speak to him quite a lot, so I know it wasn't easy, but that says a lot about him as a person, as a player, only appreciation." Van Dijk emphasized the professional nature of the football industry, acknowledging his personal desire for Gomez to remain but stating, "He's my friend, of course I want him to stay. But it doesn't work like that. I'm not the boss. It’s not a friendly business. It’s the highest world that we live in." Ultimately, the decision rests with the club’s management, and fans will be watching closely to see if Gomez will remain a key part of Liverpool’s squad moving forward.