Liverpool FC
European soccer’s summer transfer window was hours away from closing Monday with most focus on the big-spending Premier League, with Alexander Isak and Gianluigi Donnarumma potentially clinching high-profile moves on deadline day.
A record single-window spend of 2.7 billion pounds ($3.65 billion) by England’s top-flight clubs could be supercharged if Liverpool finally secures the signing of Isak before the 1800 GMT deadline following a summer-long pursuit of the Newcastle striker.
Liverpool has reached an agreement with Newcastle to buy Isak for 125 million pounds ($170 million) — which would be a British-record fee — ahead of him taking a medical examination, British media reported. Neither club has officially commented on the potential deal for Isak, who was scheduled to meet up with Sweden's national team later Monday.
Liverpool has already spent nearly 300 million pounds ($400 million) in this transfer window – more than any other team in Europe — to revamp its team, signing Germany playmaker Florian Wirtz, young French striker Hugo Ekitike and full backs Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez, among others.
Two of the world’s top goalkeepers might be on the move, too.
Donnarumma hasn’t played for Paris Saint-Germain this season and reports have linked the Italy international with a transfer to Manchester City as a replacement for Ederson, who has been the No. 1 for Pep Guardiola's team since 2017.
Martinez, Argentina’s World Cup-winning goalie, was left out of Aston Villa’s team at the weekend and could also be set to leave. Villa is expected to be active on deadline day and has already signed former Manchester United center back Victor Lindelof on a free transfer.
Most Premier League clubs appear to be still in the market for players in what has been one of the most chaotic transfer windows in history.
Among them is Newcastle, which will likely need further backup to replace Isak if he departs.
On Saturday, Germany striker Nick Woltemade became Newcastle’s record signing after joining from Stuttgart for a reported fee that could total 69 million pounds ($93 million) and British media are reporting Brentford striker Yoane Wissa could move to St. James' Park, too.
Go to video
Man accused of racially abusing Antoine Semenyo barred for every stadium in Britain
01:11
Friends, family and teammates pay their final respects to Portuguese football player Diogo Jota
01:09
Liverpool star Jota has died in a car accident - Spanish police
01:26
Survivor of Liverpool car ramming talks of shock and panic
01:04
Football: Liverpool celebrates record-tying 20th Premier League title
01:01
Twenty-seven hospitalised following Liverpool parade ramming incident