Isak completed his medical and signed a 6-year contract with Liverpool on 1/9, extending until 2031. The Swedish striker will wear the number 9 shirt at Anfield, concluding one of the summer's most protracted and high-profile transfers.

Alexander Isak joined Liverpool on 1/9. Photo: Liverpool FC

Marc Guehi celebrates Crystal Palace's 3-0 victory against Aston Villa in the third round of the Premier League at Villa Park, Birmingham, England on 31/8/2025. Photo: Reuters

"It's been a long journey to get here. I'm proud to be part of the club and eager to meet my teammates and the fans to start winning trophies," Isak said during his unveiling.

Liverpool's acquisition of Isak for a Premier League record 175.5 million USD surpasses their previous record of 170 million USD paid to Leverkusen for German midfielder Florian Wirtz.

Liverpool's initial 160 million USD bid for Isak was rejected. Newcastle signaled their intention to sell only for 200 million USD, leading to a public dispute with the Swedish striker. Isak boycotted pre-season training, criticized the club's management, and missed Newcastle's first two matches to exert pressure.

The deal hinged on Newcastle securing a replacement, ultimately signing striker Nick Woltemade from Stuttgart for 105 million USD.

"I believe I have much room for improvement. As a striker, my primary role is to score, but I want to contribute more to the team. I'm here to win every title," Isak emphasized.

The same day, Liverpool's attempt to sign center-back Marc Guehi collapsed when Crystal Palace withdrew at the last minute, despite a 47.4 million USD agreement.

Marc Guehi celebrates Crystal Palace's 3-0 victory against Aston Villa in the third round of the Premier League at Villa Park, Birmingham, England on 31/8/2025. Photo: Reuters

According to ESPN, Crystal Palace initially agreed to sell Guehi to Liverpool and even allowed the English player to undergo a medical. However, Chairman Steve Parish reversed the decision when the club couldn't find a suitable replacement. Coach Oliver Glasner had also repeatedly stated his desire to retain Guehi at Selhurst Park.

Despite the failed Guehi deal, Liverpool concluded a record-breaking transfer window with a total expenditure of 584.5 million USD. Prior to Isak and Wirtz, Anfield welcomed striker Hugo Ekitike (106 million USD from Frankfurt), left-back Milos Kerkez (54 million USD from Bournemouth), right-back Jeremie Frimpong (40 million USD from Leverkusen), and goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili (40 million USD from Valencia).

Conversely, Liverpool sold academy graduates Jarell Quansah (to Leverkusen for nearly 50 million USD) and Trent Alexandre-Arnold (to Real Madrid for 11 million USD), generating 100% profit under the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability Regulations (PSR). They also sold backup goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher (to Brentford for 17 million USD), Darwin Nunez (to Al Hilal for 61.5 million USD), and Luis Diaz (to Bayern for 88 million USD), while loaning out Kostas Tsimikas (to Roma) and Harvey Elliott (to Aston Villa).

Compiled by Hong Duy