Newcastle Blundered £130m Isak Deal, Claims Former Villa Boss

Alexander Isak left Newcastle United on deadline day in a British record fee transfer as his move to Liverpool was finally sealed. Isak was central to the summer’s transfer saga as his move to Anfield was finally completed in the final hours of the window.

Isak’s move from Newcastle United to Liverpool was made public by both clubs at 9:30pm in a brief 37-word statement from the Magpies to confirm the sale of the striker: ‘Newcastle United can confirm the sale of striker Alexander Isak to Liverpool for a substantial British record transfer fee.

He was recruited by Magpies from Real Sociedad in 2022 and featured in 109 matches across all competitions.’

Isak will subsequently connect up with his country ahead of their opening World Cup qualification matches and could play for Liverpool against Burnley on Sunday 14 September. But the 25-year-old has not kicked a ball since the closing day of last season and trained by himself on Tyneside in the final weeks of the summer.

Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak stance criticised

Isak’s wish to depart Newcastle United has long been common knowledge this summer, and an explosive statement posted on his Instagram account last month gave public voice to his wish to move on to new pastures. The Magpies, however, were keen to make sure they did not leave themselves any weaker by failing to keep at least two strikers within their roster beyond the 7pm deadline.

Sorting out the Isak saga, either way, was crucial both for the short-term immediate club and player but long-term team success as well for Eddie Howe and his team. But losing him on deadline day will be a blow and former Aston Villa CEO Christian Purslow believes Newcastle United handled the whole saga around Isak entirely incorrectly in considering this summer’s dealings aren’t ‘at the level’ they would have preferred.

“I can only look outward and rely on my own experience,” Purslow was quoted as saying to Sky Sports. “When you go into a summer window, you have your plans – your outs and your ins.”

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“If this was a long-term plan out then it would have been done earlier and they would have seen the ins to bring him in. Doing it this late to me implies until recently that they feel they can persuade the player to stay, which I did personally with Jack Grealish.”

“Holding out this long, I think they lost out on their primary targets. They took a little bit out of Liverpool but the issue is the replacements. I don’t think they’re at a level that they ideally hoped.”

Eleven days lie ahead of Newcastle United to plan ahead of their next Premier League fixture – a home meeting versus Wolves on Saturday 13 September at St James’ Park. Both Yoane Wissa and Nick Woltemade can both potentially debut for the Magpies on the day as Howe’s side still await a first Premier League win this season having drawn two and lost one of their opening trio of matches.