Isak to Liverpool: Timeline of summer’s biggest transfer saga
Alexander Isak’s future at Newcastle dominated the summer transfer window.
It had all the hallmarks of a proper transfer saga. He reported back late after the summer break, trained with his former club Real Sociedad and most recently was the only member of the 2024-25 Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) team of the year not to attend the award ceremony, citing “everything going on.”
Ultimately, it ended with Liverpool making him the British-record transfer in a deal worth £125 million ($170m), while Newcastle spent big to replace him.
ESPN takes a look at all the major twists and turns that took Isak from St. James’ Park to Anfield.
July 15 — Liverpool express their interest in Isak
Sources tell ESPN that Liverpool have registered their interest in signing Isak with Arne Slot searching for a new No. 9. Newcastle’s stance is that they are unwilling to let Isak leave the club.
July 19 — Isak misses Newcastle friendly
Isak is not involved as Newcastle officially began their preseason with a 4-0 thrashing at the hands of Celtic. Boss Eddie Howe said his star man was absent due to transfer speculation linking him away from the club.
“It was my decision,” Howe said postmatch. “He travelled back to Glasgow with us but I decided to send him home due to the speculation around him.”
“But I’m confident he will be a Newcastle player come the end of the window,” Howe added.
July 22 — Al Hilal consider Isak deal
Amid intense links with a move to Anfield, sources tell ESPN that Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal are exploring a deal for the forward.
Isak is discussed internally, including with manager Simone Inzaghi and financial details surrounding a possible deal are gathered, but no formal contact is made from Al Hilal, the source said.
July 23 — Liverpool beat Newcastle to Hugo Ekitike signing
Liverpool complete the signing of Hugo Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt in a deal worth an initial £69m ($92.8m).
Ekitike was heavily linked to Newcastle, and close to a move earlier in July, however his move to Tyneside didn’t materialise, and he was announced as a Liverpool player after a chat with Arne Slot sold him on a move to Anfield.
July 24 — Isak left out of preseason squad, open to move away
Isak is not included in Eddie Howe’s squad for their preseason tour Asia, with the club saying he missed out due to a “minor thigh injury.”
Sources tell ESPN that he is open to a move away from the club, but Newcastle maintain he is not available for transfer.
He goes on to miss the entirety of the club’s preseason schedule.
July 31 — Isak training away from Newcastle
ESPN reports that Isak is training and recovering from injury at his former club Real Sociedad’s facilities at Zubieta, outside San Sebastián.
Aug. 1 — Newcastle reject Liverpool bid for Isak
Newcastle reject a £110m ($145m) bid for Isak, well below their asking fee of £150m, sources tell ESPN.
Sources also tell ESPN that Liverpool are not planning a second bid for the striker after the nature of Newcastle’s rejection meant the club felt as though a second bid would be pointless.
Aug. 2 — Newcastle make Benjamin Sesko bid
Newcastle make a formal bid for RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko, for a fee around £65.4 million.
Sources tell ESPN that Newcastle are accelerating talks with Leipzig for the striker.
Aug. 4 — Isak returns to Newcastle training
Isak returns to Newcastle training after missing the side’s preseason tour of Asia and training at Real Sociedad to rehab a thigh injury.
He is told to train separately from his teammates.
Aug. 5 — Newcastle make second Sesko bid
Newcastle make an improved bid for Leipzig striker Sesko, Manchester United also bid. Both offers are in the region of £65.4m, sources tell ESPN.
Sesko is left out of Leipzig’s squad for the side’s friendly against Atalanta as a move away from the Bundesliga looks increasingly likely.
Aug. 7 — Man United sign Sesko
Man United complete the signing of Benjamin Sesko on a five-year contract in a deal worth in the region of €85m.
Sesko is the second striker of the window that Newcastle have missed out on after Ekitike signed for Liverpool. Sources tell ESPN that Sesko’s clear preference was a move to Old Trafford.
Aug. 8 — Eddie Howe’s plea
Speaking after Newcastle’s preseason draw with Espanyol at St. James’ Park, Howe made it clear that he wants Isak back in the fold.
“I’d want Alex to be playing today, I’d want him training tomorrow. We would love the player to be with us — let me make that absolutely clear. There’s no part of me that doesn’t want that outcome,” Howe said.
Aug. 16 — Isak misses Premier League opener
Isak is left out of Newcastle’s squad for their Premier League opener against Aston Villa.
Newcastle struggle going forward, and fail to score against a 10-man Villa with their top-scorer for the last two seasons absent. They start their season with a 0-0 draw.
Aug. 19 — Isak misses PFA award ceremony
Isak does not attend the PFA awards evening in Manchester. He is the only player selected in the PFA team of the year not to be present, five current Liverpool players take to the stage to receive their awards.
He is also nominated for the PFA men’s player of the year award, which Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah goes on to win for a record third time.
Aug. 19 — Isak breaks his silence
Isak breaks his silence over the summer and takes to Instagram to say that promises made to him at Newcastle have been broken and his trust in the club has been lost.
“I’ve kept quiet for a long time while others have spoken,” he said. “The reality is that promises were made and the club has known my position for a long time. To now act as if these issues are only emerging is misleading.
“When promises are broken and trust is lost, the relationship can’t continue. That’s where things are for me right now — and why change is in the best interests of everyone, not just myself.”
Aug. 19 — Newcastle respond to Isak
Newcastle release a statement saying they would welcome Isak back into the squad and that he remains unavailable for transfer.
“We are clear in response that Alex remains under contract and that no commitment has ever been made by a club official that Alex can leave Newcastle United this summer,” the statement read.
“As explained to Alex and his representatives, we must always take into consideration the best interests of Newcastle United, the team and our supporters in all decisions and we have been clear that the conditions of a sale this summer have not transpired.
“We do not foresee those conditions being met.
“This is a proud football club with proud traditions and we strive to retain our family feel. Alex remains part of our family and will be welcomed back when he is ready to rejoin his teammates.”
Aug. 25 — Isak misses Liverpool as club chairman jets in
Newcastle chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan jets in to watch the club’s 3-2 defeat to Liverpool at St James’ Park, with Isak again missing from the squad.
Reports earlier in the day suggested a Newcastle delegation held talks with Isak with a view to reintegrating him into the squad, although Howe said: “I’m not party to the talks that have been happening, so I’ve got no idea where that stands.”
When pressed on whether the reason for Al-Rumayyan’s presence on Monday was related to Isak, Howe said: “I don’t know why he’s here in a sense that that the main reason he’s here is obviously to watch the team, support the team and show his presence, which is much appreciated from my perspective and much loved by everyone when he is here and connecting with the fans.
“But yes, you’re right, he’s the owner. He’s the most important person in terms of directing which decisions we make. But as I said, I’m not party to any conversations that have happened today, so I’ve got no idea what direction that’s in.”
Aug. 30 — Newcastle sign Nick Woltemade
Newcastle complete the signing of striker Nick Woltemade from VfB Stuttgart in a club-record transfer that sources have told ESPN is worth £64.9 million ($87.5m).
The 23-year old was at Newcastle’s training ground on Aug. 29 to finalise his move before being confirmed as the newest No. 9 on Tyneside on Saturday.
He signs after Newcastle’s repeated unsuccessful attempts to sign a striker throughout the window, sources tell ESPN that Liverpool have yet to return with a bid higher than their initial £110m offer for Isak, who remains out of the fold at the club.
Sept. 1 — Liverpool agree record deal to sign Isak from Newcastle, sources say
With the transfer window closing on Monday at 7 p.m. BST, 2 p.m. ET, Liverpool agree a £125 million ($170m) fee to sign Isak from Newcastle, sources tell ESPN.
The fee will mean Isak becomes the most expensive signing in Premier League history surpassing Chelsea’s Moisés Caicedo who joined the London club for £115m from Brighton in the summer of 2023.
Sept. 1 — The wait is over!
Isak’s move to Anfield is announced almost three hours after the deadline passed.
“It’s been a long journey to get here. 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,” he said in a statement.
“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.”
He will wear the No. 9 shirt for Liverpool. But what about his ambitions?
“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,” Isak added.
“I want to win everything.”