Alexander Isak to Liverpool 'needed to happen' amid huge Newcastle PSR claim

Alexander Isak's £125million move to Liverpool was always likely to happen as the Toon battle against potential PSR concerns.

Isak joined Liverpool on deadline day for a record British transfer fee after the Reds had previously broken the record earlier in the window to sign Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen.

The 25-year-old has refused to play for Newcastle this season, but the club insisted he was not for sale until they sanctioned the departure in the final day of the window.

Newcastle have sourced Nick Woltemade from Stuttgart and Yoane Wissa from Brentford to replace Isak.

PSR a reason why Newcastle had to sell Alexander Isak

According to the Daily Mail [2 September], the Newcastle hierarchy were getting "nervous" that a Isak sale had to happen due to the £69m fee spent on Woltemade and PSR concerns.

PSR impacted Newcastle's transfer business the summer previously when they were forced to sell players to comply with the rules.

Newcastle players were also starting to fee angered by Isak's behaviour, and that for "dressing-room harmony" the Swede had to be sold.

Many "could not look at him [Isak] in the face again," and manager Eddie Howe and the player did not speak after a statement was released by Isak.

Newcastle's statement on Isak's departure was only 37 words, an indication of the strong feeling of anger towards the striker.

Newcastle can look forward without Alexander Isak

Football Insider Verdict

Newcastle and Howe will be relived that the transfer window is now shut, and with the sale of Isak, the club can look ahead to the new season without the noise which has surrounded their summer.

Isak's departure ends a long saga that had threatened to disharmonise the Newcastle squad, and the Toon needed replacements before they could sell.

With Woltemade and Wissa they have two goal scorers, with different attributes, who can fill the void that Isak will leave.

The £125m brought into the club will strengthen Howe's hand if he needs to dip back into the market in January, and eases any potential PSR concerns following their spend on Woltemade and Wissa.

The deal is best for all parties, even if Isak has joined a Premier League rival.

Liverpool will be strengthened, but Isak had to leave and Howe can now focus purely on on-field matters.