Journalists disagree on how much Liverpool are actually paying Newcastle to sign Alexander Isak
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Liverpool are set to break their transfer record on deadline day to sign Alexander Isak from Newcastle United.
Isak has had a difficult summer, refusing to play or even train with Newcastle as he awaited a move to Anfield.
The Swedish striker argued that promises had been broken by the Magpies and that his relationship with the club was beyond repair.
For Liverpool, this clearly opened the door for Isak to join the champions this summer.
However, the 25-year-old being keen on the move was only part of the puzzle.
Ultimately, Liverpool got their wish, but not everyone agrees on how much the eventual fee will be.
Photo by Alex Dodd – CameraSport via Getty Images
Whatever the case, the outlay to buy Isak is going to be the biggest in Liverpool history.
According to Newcastle-based journalist Luke Edwards, the fee will be £130m, some £20m short of the Magpies’ original valuation.
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But with fellow reporter Ben Jacobs claiming Liverpool will actually pay £125m for Isak, Edwards has hit out at his colleague online.
“Ben, on a story of this magnitude and given it was me who broke the story, can you not, for once, credit the journalist who was responsible for it,” fumed the journalist.
You also got the fee wrong.”
READ MORE: How long Alexander Isak’s Liverpool contract will be as Reds agree record deal with Newcastle
“Firstly, congratulations on your coverage,” Jacobs replied.
“Liverpool are not paying Newcastle £130m.
Welcome to drop me a DM and we’ll discuss.”
While there seems little point in arguing over £5m in a deal of this size, the fee clearly matters a great deal to Newcastle and their fans.
When it comes to transfer reporting, the gold standard is generally seen to be David Ornstein, so his wording on the fee is worth noting.
“Deal for 25yo striker worth £130m to NUFC with solidarity, £125m cost to LFC,” says Ornstein.
A ‘solidarity’ fee is 5% of a transfer cost paid to the clubs who registered a player between the ages of 12 and 23.
So, ultimately, while Newcastle-based reporters such as Edwards can argue the fee is indeed £130m, it seems Liverpool will pay £125m and that is what the selling club will also receive.