Alexander Isak transfer fee truth as Liverpool and Newcastle disagree over record deal

Alexander Isak will finally join Liverpool after Newcastle United agreed a deal with the Premier League winners over a record-breaking deadline day deal. And with it, the PR battle begins.

The Swedish hitman has been at the centre of the summer’s biggest transfer saga. The Reds have been keen on the Sweden international all summer, but saw an initial £110million bid rejected at the start of August. Isak has gone on strike and publicly accused Newcastle of breaking promises of a transfer. Last week a summit meeting was held between Isak, his representatives, Toon co-owner Jamie Reuben and member’s of the Saudi PIF - Newcastle’s principal owners - with the player reiterating his stance that he had no intention of playing for the club again.

Newcastle had been insistent that Isak is not for sale at any price this summer, with Eddie Howe suggesting he could still be reintegrated into the team. That meeting made it clear that reintegration simply wouldn’t happen and selling was the only option. Newcastle duly pushed through the £70m signing of Nick Woltemade from Stuttgart on Saturday and now, Isak finally gets his way.

READ MORE: Transfer news LIVE: Liverpool agree £125m Isak deal, Arsenal and Man Utd latest on Deadline Day

READ MORE: Alexander Isak to Liverpool: Contract details emerge after bombshell £125m transfer agreement

The 25-year-old is signing a six-year contract on Merseyside and become the most expensive player in Premier League history. As he does so, mixed messages are being sent over what exactly is being paid. It may well be confusing to football fans keeping tabs on the situation.

Reporters close to Liverpool have announced that the deal is worth £125m, straight down the line. Sources close to Newcastle are insisting the deal is worth £130m.

So what’s the truth?

Well, as you’d expect, it’s somewhere straight down the middle.

From Liverpool’s perspective, they’re paying £125m in a fixed fee. He becomes their most-expensive signing ever, usurping Florian Wirtz after an agreement was reached late on Sunday evening. Reds chiefs were toasting what they see as a transfer triumph in Liverpool on Sunday night.

Newcastle, who earlier in the summer had made clear they wanted £150m - while also insisting they would only sell with two new strikers through the St James’ Park entrance door - are happy with what they’re calling the ‘banking’ of £130m. It’s £20m less than the £150m, but it’s also £20m more than Liverpool’s initial offer. That’s a price Toon top brass believe is worth it for a player who downed tools two months ago.

Where does the £5m difference come from?

Well, basically it’s money that isn’t coming from Liverpool, but which Newcastle are saving. Isak, despite effectively being persona non grata and demanding a move never actually handed in a transfer request on Tyneside, thus leaving the Magpies on the hook for loyalty payments and bonuses.

To get the deal done, Newcastle have negotiated that he waive the £5m he’s owed for his three years at the club.

Therefore, your Liverpool reporters are calling it £125m. Those with more of a Newcastle allegiance are saying it’s £130m. And just to add a little extra sauce, Newcastle have made their belief clear that Liverpool ‘blinked first’.

On that last point, you may be asking yourself 'well who cares?' But once transfer agreements are reached, clubs really do care, a remarkable amount, about perception.

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