3 weeks ago
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One thing's for certain about Alexander Isak: he tends to get his way.
The Newcastle forward is on the brink of a sensational $176 million (£130M) switch to Liverpool, with an agreement between the two clubs finally reached after weeks of fraught negotiations and standoffs.
Isak's tenacity has once again been the key factor in shaping his career trajectory. His imminent move to Liverpool highlights a recurring pattern: Isak's ability to manipulate situations to his advantage, whether through last-minute U-turns, outright rejections, or by applying strategic pressure on soccer clubs.
From his early days turning down Real Madrid as a teenager, to his firm refusal to return to Borussia Dortmund, and his orchestrated departure from Real Sociedad, Isak has consistently come out on top in transfer sagas, putting his personal goals ahead of contractual commitments or club allegiances.
Isak's journey of self-determination started early on when, as a 17-year-old sensation at Swedish club AIK, he caught the attention of Europe's top clubs with his combination of speed, skill, and lethal finishing.
Real Madrid, always on the lookout for promising young talent, believed they had secured his services after agreeing terms. However, in a dramatic twist that would become characteristic of his career, Isak made a late U-turn, choosing instead to sign for Dortmund.
The choice was partly influenced by the German club's reputation for molding young talents into first-team stars, a trajectory Isak felt would fast-track his growth. "Everyone knows that Borussia is a good club to develop at as a young player because so many of them are in the first-team," Isak told FourFourTwo. "I want to play here and I am waiting for my chance, and I'll take it when it comes."
This audacious rejection not only left Real stunned but also underscored Isak's early readiness to defy norms and carve out his own path, even if it meant stirring up controversy. Upon landing at the Westfalenstadion, friction emerged with manager Thomas Tuchel, who claimed he was unaware of the signing, leading to a public apology from Dortmund's top brass.
Challenges for game time soon put Isak's resolve to the test - and after a loan stint at Willem II in the Netherlands, where he regained his scoring prowess, Isak sought a permanent new beginning.
In 2019, Dortmund offloaded him to Real Sociedad for a modest $10M (£7.5M), but with a twist: a $35M (£26M) buy-back clause that gave the Bundesliga titans first refusal should Isak thrive in La Liga. And thrive he did, transforming into one of Europe's deadliest forwards with his on-ball elegance and predatory instincts in the box.
In 2021, with Erling Haaland's exit on the horizon, Dortmund set their sights on reuniting with Isak, triggering interest in their former talent. However, Isak, settled in Spain, had different plans. He point-blank rejected any notion of a comeback, branding Dortmund as belonging to his "past.
"I'm fully aware that there is a clause," he said at the time. "All I can say is that Dortmund is in my past and not in my future. I'm doing very well here, and I'm not thinking about going back at all."
To remove the clause completely, Sociedad stumped up an extra $6.8M (£5M) to Dortmund, essentially purchasing Isak's autonomy. His spell at Sociedad was characterised by both quality and the potential for true greatness. He found the net 44 times across 132 outings and contributed to the club's Copa del Rey success in 2020 - their first piece of major silverware in decades.
Nevertheless, as various Premier League admirers began hovering, Isak's aspirations turned towards England's elite division. With a $101M (£75M) release clause written into his deal, he and his advisors quietly exerted influence on Sociedad, indicating his appetite for fresh pastures.
The Spanish outfit, originally anticipating his continuation, found themselves unprepared for his departure. Chairman Jokin Aperribay confessed: "We did not expect Isak to leave."
However, Isak's determination was evident, and in August 2022, Newcastle smashed their transfer record with a $85M (£63M) acquisition. This forced departure from Sociedad, where he had established himself as a key figure, highlighted the familiar trend: when Isak thinks it's time for a change, he makes change happen.
With three seasons on Tyneside under his belt, Isak is up to his old tricks, with a switch to Anfield on the horizon. Following an exceptional 2024/25 campaign in which he netted 27 times, Isak spent the summer pushing for a departure, skipping the club's pre-season tour and even threatening strike action.
Newcastle originally stood firm, turning down a $149M (£110M) offer from Liverpool earlier in the transfer window. Yet Isak's determination has eventually broken down their resolve, clearing the path for a British record $176M (£130M) transfer.
At Anfield, he's anticipated to spearhead the attack as the club's new central striker, potentially shifting Hugo Ekitike to the left flank, with Mohamed Salah operating on the right and Florian Wirtz orchestrating from deeper positions.
In theory, it presents a frightening proposition for rivals - though with Liverpool still seeking performance consistency this season, there's no assurance the forward line will gel immediately.
Isak's career tells the tale of a player who resolutely refuses to be swayed by circumstance. He's rejected the allure of Madrid, turned down Dortmund's lifeline, and dictated terms to both Sociedad and Newcastle.
His move to Liverpool isn't merely another transfer - it's the latest instalment in a career molded by Isak's stubborn determination. As he readies himself to don the red shirt, supporters and pundits alike are certain of one thing: Isak has always been the author of his own narrative, and he has no intention of changing that now.
Liverpool are benefitting from that M.O. for the time being - but who's to say whether it will come back to bite them in the future?
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