Liverpool have shattered the English transfer record by signing Alexander Isak from Newcastle for €145m, but Toni Kroos questions whether the Swedish striker is worth the fee as the Reds spend nearly €500m in a bold summer rebuild.
Swedish striker Alexander Isak has completed a blockbuster move from Newcastle United to Liverpool, signing a long-term contract with the Reds in a deal that shattered the English transfer record.
Liverpool paid an eye-watering 145 million euros to secure the 24-year-old’s services, underlining both their financial power and their determination to refresh their attacking line. The record fee eclipses previous benchmarks in English football and signals Liverpool’s willingness to compete head-to-head with the continent’s biggest spenders.
The fee, however, has not convinced everyone. Among the skeptics is former Germany international Toni Kroos, who enjoyed glittering success with Bayern Munich and Real Madrid before retiring. Speaking on his brother Felix’s podcast, Kroos questioned whether the price tag matched the player’s pedigree. “I trust our listeners, but I’d say about half of them have never heard of Isak,” Kroos said bluntly. “Judge for yourselves. I’m being serious. In Dortmund, well… nothing really special happened there. It’s a lot of money, no doubt.” His words reflect the view that while Isak has obvious talent and potential, his résumé is not yet filled with the kind of honors or record-breaking seasons usually associated with such monumental transfer fees.
Isak’s career trajectory offers context for Kroos’s comments. After leaving Sweden as a teenager, he joined Borussia Dortmund in 2017 but struggled to make a lasting impact, managing only a handful of appearances before being loaned out. A spell at Willem II in the Netherlands reignited his form, showcasing his pace, technique, and eye for goal. His move to Real Sociedad in La Liga then established him as one of Europe’s brightest young forwards, and his performances earned him a record transfer to Newcastle in 2022. At St. James’ Park, Isak became a fan favorite, scoring crucial goals in both the Premier League and European competitions, while also demonstrating versatility across the forward line. Still, critics like Kroos argue that his career has lacked the kind of dominant, season-defining campaigns that justify a 145 million euro valuation.
For Liverpool, though, the signing represents both ambition and necessity. Jürgen Klopp’s departure has left the club at a crossroads, and with a new era under Arne Slot beginning, there is pressure to build a squad capable of sustaining success domestically and in Europe. Isak is seen as the centerpiece of that rebuild a forward with the technical ability to link play, the physical presence to trouble defenses, and the finishing instinct to score consistently at the highest level. At 24, he also fits Liverpool’s model of investing in players entering their prime years.
The deal is part of a wider, eye-catching spending spree. Liverpool have committed almost 500 million euros during this summer’s transfer window, more than any other club in Europe. Alongside Isak, the Reds have secured French striker Hugo Ekitiké, German midfield prodigy Florian Wirtz, Hungarian full-back Milos Kerkez, and Dutch right-back Jeremie Frimpong. Each of these signings reflects a strategy of targeting young, dynamic players who can provide both immediate quality and long-term value. The hope is that this mix of talent will restore Liverpool to the pinnacle of European football after a couple of inconsistent seasons.
The pressure on Isak, however, will be immense. As the most expensive signing in English football history, every performance will be scrutinized, every missed chance highlighted. Supporters will expect him to deliver immediately, especially in big matches against rivals such as Manchester City, Arsenal, and Manchester United. For Liverpool’s owners, the transfer is also a statement of intent to the market: they are prepared to spend at levels comparable to Chelsea, Manchester City, and PSG to remain competitive.
For Toni Kroos and other skeptics, though, the move is a gamble. Football history is full of record signings that failed to live up to expectations, weighed down by the size of the fee and the burden of constant comparisons. Isak will have to prove that he is not just a promising striker but a world-class forward capable of carrying Liverpool’s attack for years to come.
As the new season approaches, all eyes will be on Anfield to see whether this record-breaking transfer pays off. For Isak, the challenge is twofold: to silence critics like Kroos who doubt his pedigree, and to prove that Liverpool’s extraordinary investment was justified. The next chapter of his career promises to be the most defining yet.
