Liverpool spent more than £400m in the summer transfer window as they made a bold statement of their intentions to defend their Premier League title, with Alexander Isak coming in for a British transfer record of £125m
It was an eventful transfer deadline day for Liverpool, that much is true. They broke the English transfer record by finally sealing a move for Newcastle striker Alexander Isak, allowed Harvey Elliott to join Aston Villa and saw a move for Marc Guehi collapse.
There was certainly drama but fans will be over the moon that they finally got their main striker target in Isak, ending a saga that dragged on for much of the summer as they paid a mammoth £125m, breaking the British transfer record they had set earlier in the summer.
It capped off an incredible summer of spending, which totalled more than £400m, with Liverpool chiefs backing Arne Slot to help him retain their Premier League title.
There has been plenty of reaction to their record-breaking window, especially to Isak’s controversial move after he went on strike at Newcastle to secure his switch to Anfield, while Marc Guehi’s failed move has also got people talking.
Mirror Football has rounded up the biggest Liverpool transfer stories and gossip in the wake of the window closing.
READ MORE: Alexander Isak responds to brutal 37-word Newcastle statement with farewell messageREAD MORE: Liverpool ‚behaving like Sir Alex Ferguson’s Man Utd‘ with bold new transfer strategy
Liverpool set to hold Guehi talks despite collapsed move
Liverpool boss Arne Slot will be bitterly disappointed not to get Guehi over the line despite the move looking likely to happen for much of deadline day.
It wasn’t until Palace target Julio performed a U-turn and decided to join West Ham that the Eagles decided to block Guehi’s move – which will frustrate the player after he went through a medical and the formalities of saying goodbye.
It doesn’t close the door to a future move to Liverpool and the Reds are likely to try again for him in January – when they will be able to pay an even lesser fee as he edges closer to becoming a free agent.
Guehi is said to be „extremely unhappy“ at his move being called off by Palace and is said to be considering his position as club captain as as result.
But as he prepares to go back to the Palace team for the season ahead, Guehi can expect talks with Liverpool over a future move in the coming weeks.
According to the Liverpool Echo, Liverpool are planning to speak to Guehi at the end of the month after initially having a £35m agreement in place for his transfer.
It won’t be long before Guehi goes up against the club he nearly signed for as Liverpool travel to Selhurst Park for a Premier League clash on September 27.
Shearer says Isak behaviour „not a good look“
While Liverpool finally got their man – and a spectacular player at that – in Isak, the way he went about his move hasn’t gone down well with many fans and pundits, especially on the Newcastle side of the fence.
Isak refused to link up with his team-mates for pre-season and did not play any of Newcastle’s first three Premier League games. He later released a statement accusing the club of „broken promises“ and talks at the players house did not change his mind about returning to the group.
The Sweden star was eventually sold for huge money on deadline day and Newcastle released a very brief 37-word statement confirming his move, refusing to thank him or wish him well.
It is one of two transfer sagas that saw players go on strike after Yoane Wissa also refused to play for Brentford in order to push through a transfer to Newcastle – and Magpies legend Alan Shearer said both situations are a „bad look“ for football.
„I didn’t like how it got to the end,“ he told Betfair. „I don’t think it’s ever right that a player should go on strike and refuse to play for a club whilst you’re being paid and have a contract.
„Alexander Isak is a good player, going to a great football club who will no doubt challenge for all the big trophies. But, as I said, I don’t like how it happened. He’ll have his reasons, I’m sure.
„I don’t think it’s done anyone any good. It’s been a really bad look for football and for the fans because they’re the paying public, the ones that make this great game of ours. It’s not a good look at all when you’re being paid by a club and refuse to play. Ultimately, he got his move to Liverpool, that’s what he wanted.“
Elliott breaks silence on Liverpool exit
Liverpool also confirmed an ongoing transfer on deadline day as midfielder Harvey Elliott sealed an exit to Aston Villa, signing on loan with an obligation to buy next year.
Elliott arrived at Anfield from Fulham as a promising young player in 2019, and while he initially caught the eye under Jurgen Klopp, he has struggled for minutes under Arne Slot.
And with the player desperate for regular game time, he’s opted to join Unai Emery’s men, who must pay £35m for him next summer if he makes a certain amount of appearances.
Liverpool have a sell-on and buy-back clause included in the deal but for now it seems like goodbye – and Elliott was keen to make his feelings clear on the club as he drew a line under his time at Anfield.
He called his spell at Liverpool „a dream come true“ and said he had learned a lot as he thanked Klopp and Slot for guiding him during six years of top level experience.
„To the incredible Liverpool fans,“ he wrote on social media. „Thank you for making me one of your own and for always supporting me through both good and tough times. I’ll always cherish the bond we have together. I will always have Liverpool in my heart.
„It’s now time for a new challenge. I am incredibly ambitious and feel that at this stage of my career it’s important to be in an environment where I’m able to have the opportunity to play and progress as much as possible. „Thank you all for everything. See you soon! YNWA.“
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