Liverpool's record €145m Alexander Isak deal headlines wild transfer window

The Isak deal will be seen as a major coup for Liverpool's Chief Executive Michael Edwards.

SIGNED AND SEALED: Alexander Isak is a Liverpool player after a €145m British record transfer from Newcastle Utd. Pic: Nikki Dyer (Liverpool FC via Getty Images

Liverpool’s decision to spend a record €145m on striker Alexander Isak from Newcastle on deadline day, and an equally dramatic failure to add defender Marc Guehi, summed up a ‘sell big’, ‘buy bigger’ transfer window that was one of the craziest in Premier League history.

The champions were on a high after clinching a historic deal for Isak, when a €40m bid for Guehi from Crystal Palace right on deadline somehow collapsed, despite putting in a deal sheet to capture a player they had tracked for the last year. The reason for that twist was that Brighton defender Igor, who was on the verge of signing for the south London club, suddenly left Selhurst to sign for West Ham instead, leaving the south London club without a suitable replacement. Cue a message from chairman Steve Parish to pull the plug.

Liverpool weren't alone. By 7pm, the official transfer deadline, the bun fight for last-ditch signings was more frantic than has ever been seen before, with 20 signings in the balance after ‘deal cards’ were put in with seconds to go.

He's here. pic.twitter.com/FMjon0wXRt

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) September 1, 2025

Even without Guehi, however, Isak’s arrival took Anfield’s summer spending to an astonishing €516m, with Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike among the other expensive deals secured, leaving them as firm favourites to defend their title.

"It’s been a long journey to get here," said Isak.

"But I’m super-happy to be a part of this team, this club and everything it stands for. It’s something I’m proud of and I’m really looking forward to it.

“I’m just happy it’s done and that I can get back to work. I’m looking forward to seeing my teammates and the fans, and getting back out there.

“I think I have a lot to give, I think I have a lot to improve. I’m a striker but I always want to give as much as possible to the team, mainly goals but much more than that as well. I want to win everything."

The record-breaking deal will be seen as a major coup for Liverpool's Chief Executive Michael Edwards, the former Director of Football brought back to the club by owners FSG for moments just like this.

Journalist and Liverpool expert Bence Bocsak, writing for Anfield Watch, last night suggested Liverpool tried to buy the player as long as nine years ago, back in 2016 when the club was on the look-out for fresh young talent and Isak was at AIK Solna - but were beaten to his signature by Borussia Dortmund.

This time the Reds made no mistake and the transfer has gone down well on Merseyside.

Bocsak said: “He never left Liverpool’s radar. They stayed strong and resolute in their efforts and have ultimately got their man.

“Isak is a Liverpool player and Michael Edwards’ hard work in the last nine years has paid off.

“It’s a beautiful, beautiful time to be a Liverpool fan. We cannot wait to see Isak in a red shirt. It’s going to be an absolute blockbuster.” 

Agreeing that €145m deal makes Liverpool the biggest spenders in a single window in Premier League history, eclipsing Chelsea’s record of €503m in the summer of 2023.

But in a twist that was common to many clubs, they also sold well, bringing in €220m in order to balance the books – a trend driven by the latest PSR rules which were designed to limit spending but have instead spun the transfer wheels even faster.

Big names such as Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez were amongst those who departed, but the end result still leaves Liverpool with incredible strength up front, with Isak and Ekitike competing with Cody Gakpo, who only recently signed a lucrative new contract.

Chelsea’s story has been similar. They sent striker Nicolas Jackson to Bayern Munich on loan on deadline day, 24 hours after telling him the deal was off, in a transfer that includes an obligation to buy for 81.5m Euros.

Having spent €326m, including on Joao Pedro, Jamie Gittens, Alejandro Garnacho and Liam Delap, the Blues recouped almost €325m. 

Isak, however, was the biggest story of the window given his price tag and his arrival, on a six-year contract, will excite the Kop, having scored 27 goals for Newcastle last season as they won the League Cup and qualified for the Champions League.

His off-field behaviour, however, has been less exemplary than his contribution on it.

The Swedish international famously refused to play or train at St James’ Park this summer amid claims of broken promises when Newcastle turned down Liverpool’s opening offer - and has barely been out of the headlines since.

The same is true of Brentford rebel Yoane Wissa, who used exactly the same tactics before finally replacing Isak on Tyneside in a €63m deal, highlighting the growing impact of player power - no matter what contract they are on.

But it was the money spent, and the money brought in, which was most mind-blowing with all the big six not shy to open up the purse strings Manchester United offloaded Jadon Sancho on loan to Aston Villa and Rasmus Hojland on loan to Napoli and sold Antony to Real Betis.

They had, of course, already spent their money on the likes of Bryan Mbeumo, Benjamin Sesko and Matheus Cunha, but did find another €21m  to sign goalkeeper Senne Lammens from Royal Antwerp.

Other eye-catching deals include Fulham’s club record capture of Brazilian winger Kevin from Shakhtar for €42m, but most clubs were also focused on balancing the books.

Manchester City, for instance, took Gianluigi Donnarumma from PSG for €30m on a day when Ederson headed to Fenerbahce for €14m.

Others focused on loan deals, with Villa, treading a PSR tightrope, taking Harvey Elliott from Liverpool and Sancho from Old Trafford.

Perhaps the most eye-catching loan deals, however, were in north London where Tottenham moved for highly rated PSG striker Randal Kolo Muani – and Arsenal finally got their hands on Bayer Leverkusen defender Piero Hincape, their eighth signing in a positive window at the Emirates.

There remains a debate over whether Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea or Manchester United have won the transfer window; but Isak’s fee, and his potential, point to Anfield - even if Guehi would have made it an even easier debate.