Alexander Isak poised for Liverpool switch on frantic Premier League deadline day

LONDON: Liverpool are set to complete a sensational British-record £125 million ($169 million) transfer for Newcastle striker Alexander Isak, as the Premier League’s deadline day drama reaches fever pitch.

The Sweden striker was spotted at Liverpool’s training ground on Monday as a long-running transfer saga inches toward completion. With the Premier League transfer window set to close at 18:00 GMT, clubs are scrambling to finalize last-minute deals, and none bigger than Isak’s move from Newcastle.

The 25-year-old made his desire to leave Tyneside clear despite having three years left on his contract. Liverpool saw a £110 million bid rejected last month, but now appear set to land their man. Isak has not trained with or played for Newcastle since, signaling a definitive end to his time under Eddie Howe.

Isak will become Liverpool’s eighth senior signing of the summer, and their second record-breaking deal after securing Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen for £100 million. The Reds’ total transfer outlay now approaches £416 million, despite high-profile departures including Luis Diaz, Darwin Nunez, and Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Manager Arne Slot, whose side maintained their perfect Premier League record with a 1-0 win over Arsenal on Sunday, is reportedly also chasing England and Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi.

Newcastle, meanwhile, have already prepared for life after Isak. They sealed a club-record £69 million deal for German international striker Nick Woltemade last week. The Magpies have now further reinforced their frontline with the capture of Yoane Wissa from Brentford, who netted 19 Premier League goals last season. Wissa had publicly urged Brentford to “keep their word” and allow him to leave.

Manchester City are set to land Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma from Paris Saint-Germain for a fee believed to be around €35 million. Donnarumma, who helped PSG win the Champions League in May, has been deemed surplus to requirements in Paris. City’s long-serving No.1, Ederson, is now reportedly on the radar of Turkish side Fenerbahce.

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Manchester United, amid ongoing goalkeeper concerns, have reached an agreement to sign Belgian prospect Senne Lammens from Royal Antwerp in a deal worth €21 million (£18 million). The club had previously been linked with Argentina World Cup-winner Emiliano Martinez, but appear to have opted for youth over experience.

United are also working to offload several players. Brazil winger Antony is close to joining Real Betis, while Jadon Sancho, after a disappointing loan spell at Chelsea, is set for another temporary move, this time to Aston Villa. Villa are also finalizing a loan deal for Liverpool midfielder Harvey Elliott, who is expected to struggle for minutes at Anfield following the club’s busy summer.

Meanwhile, Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly close to securing a season-long loan for PSG striker Randal Kolo Muani, adding more firepower as they look to bolster their top-four ambitions.

With the clock ticking down and several blockbuster moves in motion, this year’s deadline day is shaping up to be one of the most action-packed in recent memory.