The 27-year-old Swedish forward, who has scored 62 goals in 109 appearances for Newcastle, has become Arne Slot’s ideal target to strengthen Liverpool’s attack ahead of the 2025/26 Premier League season.
Earlier reports suggested Liverpool had turned their attention to RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko after Newcastle stood firm on keeping Isak, who is valued at over £150 million.
Manchester United, eager to find a reliable No. 9 under Ruben Amorim, made a last-minute attempt to sign Isak, using their recruitment director Christopher Vivell’s connections.
However, Liverpool’s persistent efforts, backed by Fenway Sports Group’s financial strategy and Slot’s vision, have shifted momentum in their favor.
Journalist Florian Plettenberg revealed that Isak has verbally agreed to a six-year contract with Liverpool, running until 2031. His wages are reported to match those of recent signing Hugo Ekitike at £250,000 per week, making him the joint-third highest-paid player at Anfield behind Mohamed Salah (£460,000/week) and Virgil van Dijk (£529,000/week).
Isak’s motivation to join Liverpool, inspired by their Champions League success and recent Club World Cup victory, has played a key role.
His dissatisfaction at Newcastle—where he currently earns £120,000 per week and has been denied a raise to £300,000—grew after being excluded from their pre-season tour.
Sources indicate Isak’s ambition to win major trophies, including the Champions League, aligns with Liverpool’s goals. His reported rejection of a lucrative £600,000-per-week offer from Saudi club Al-Hilal further shows his commitment to the Reds.
The transfer fee, expected to set a British record around £150 million, is manageable for Liverpool thanks to their sustainable financial approach and recent player sales, such as Luis Díaz’s £66 million move to Bayern Munich, alongside possible departures of Darwin Núñez or Harvey Elliott to help balance costs.
Isak’s proven Premier League pedigree—scoring 25 goals in 40 appearances last season—makes him an excellent fit for Slot’s 4-2-3-1 system, providing clinical finishing and versatility to complement Salah and Ekitike.
Newcastle, however, remain hesitant to sell, with Eddie Howe insisting Isak is not for sale, though insiders suggest the club may reconsider if the valuation is met.
With the new Premier League campaign starting in two weeks, Liverpool are pushing to complete the deal quickly, potentially pairing Isak with Ekitike to form a potent attacking duo.
This signing not only boosts Liverpool’s title ambitions but also delivers a setback to rivals Manchester United and Newcastle, reinforcing the Reds’ dominance in the transfer market.
