Jurgen Klopp’s controversial Newcastle dig resurfaces as Alexander Isak set to sign in blockbuster £400m summer spending spree
Jurgen Klopp once claimed ‘it’s not possible’ for Liverpool to compete with Manchester City and Newcastle in the transfer market. His comments have resurfaced as the Reds close in on a £400million summer spending spree. GettyKlopp’s controversial dig at Newcastle has resurfaced after Liverpool’s spending spree[/caption] The Reds are set to break the British transfer record by signing Alexander IsakGetty The imminent arrival of Alexander Isak from St. James’ Park will see the Premier League champions break the British transfer record for a second time this summer. Arne Slot’s side previously set the record by signing Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen for £116million. However, a deal has now been agreed to sign Isak for £125m, with the forward undergoing a medical at Anfield. Their impressive transfer window comes after Slot won the title in his maiden season in England. Meanwhile, it contradicts comments made by Klopp less than three years ago. The former Liverpool boss admitted his old club ‘cannot act like’ City ahead of their clash at Anfield in October 2022. He also took aim at Newcastle’s spending ambitions after their Saudi-backed takeover. Klopp told reporters at the time: “Nobody can compete with City. You have the best team in the world and you put in the best striker on the market. No matter what it costs, you just do it. “City won’t like it, nobody will like it, but you know the answer. What does Liverpool do? We cannot act like them. It’s not possible, not possible.” As for Newcastle, he added: “It’s just clear: there are three clubs in world football who can do what they want financially. GettyKlopp claimed Liverpool could not compete with City and Newcastle’s financial ceilings[/caption] “It’s legal, everything is fine, but they can do whatever they want. Competing with them? It’s not possible to deal with that. “I heard the Newcastle [sporting director Dan Ashworth] say there’s no ceiling for this club – he’s absolutely right. There’s no ceiling for Newcastle. Congratulations – some clubs have ceilings.” Whilst Liverpool could still spend over £470m this summer, Newcastle have so far brought in just over £200m worth of players. Those signings include a club record deal for German forward Nick Woltemade. Eddie Howe’s side are also set to complete the signing of Yoane Wissa from Brentford on a four-year deal. Despite those deals, the Magpies will have only spent just over half of Liverpool’s transfer outlay. Slot is set to spend over £400million after winning the Premier League last seasonGetty The Reds remain confident they can complete one more deal before the 7pm deadline. A £35m bid remains on the table for Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi. Liverpool are confident they can finalise a deal for the England international, talkSPORT understands. Isak latest Isak has arrived on Merseyside to undergo a medical ahead of joining Liverpool. He has agreed terms on a six-year deal with the club through to the summer of 2031. The Reds previously saw a bid worth £110million plus add-ons rejected at the start of August. Liverpool's summer spending spree Alexander Isak [Newcastle] £125m – Medical Florian Wirtz [Bayer Leverkusen] £116m Hugo Ekitike [Eintracht Frankfurt] £69m Milos Kerkez [Bournemouth] £40m Jeremie Frimpong [Bayer Leverkusen] £29.5m Giorgi Mamardashvili [Valencia] £29m Giovanni Leoni [Parma] £26m Armin Pecsi [Puskas Akademia] £1.5m Freddie Woodman [Preston] Free However, they have now agreed a fixed £125million fee with Newcastle for the Swedish striker. The Toon Army may receive £130million, though, after agreeing to waive Isak’s loyalty bonus.

Jurgen Klopp once claimed ‘it’s not possible’ for Liverpool to compete with Manchester City and Newcastle in the transfer market.
His comments have resurfaced as the Reds close in on a £400million summer spending spree.
The imminent arrival of Alexander Isak from St. James’ Park will see the Premier League champions break the British transfer record for a second time this summer.
Arne Slot’s side previously set the record by signing Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen for £116million.
However, a deal has now been agreed to sign Isak for £125m, with the forward undergoing a medical at Anfield.
Their impressive transfer window comes after Slot won the title in his maiden season in England.
Meanwhile, it contradicts comments made by Klopp less than three years ago.
The former Liverpool boss admitted his old club ‘cannot act like’ City ahead of their clash at Anfield in October 2022.
He also took aim at Newcastle’s spending ambitions after their Saudi-backed takeover.
Klopp told reporters at the time: “Nobody can compete with City. You have the best team in the world and you put in the best striker on the market. No matter what it costs, you just do it.
“City won’t like it, nobody will like it, but you know the answer. What does Liverpool do? We cannot act like them. It’s not possible, not possible.”
As for Newcastle, he added: “It’s just clear: there are three clubs in world football who can do what they want financially.
“It’s legal, everything is fine, but they can do whatever they want. Competing with them? It’s not possible to deal with that.
“I heard the Newcastle [sporting director Dan Ashworth] say there’s no ceiling for this club – he’s absolutely right. There’s no ceiling for Newcastle. Congratulations – some clubs have ceilings.”
Whilst Liverpool could still spend over £470m this summer, Newcastle have so far brought in just over £200m worth of players.
Those signings include a club record deal for German forward Nick Woltemade.
Eddie Howe’s side are also set to complete the signing of Yoane Wissa from Brentford on a four-year deal.
Despite those deals, the Magpies will have only spent just over half of Liverpool’s transfer outlay.
The Reds remain confident they can complete one more deal before the 7pm deadline.
A £35m bid remains on the table for Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi.
Liverpool are confident they can finalise a deal for the England international, talkSPORT understands.
Isak latest
Isak has arrived on Merseyside to undergo a medical ahead of joining Liverpool.
He has agreed terms on a six-year deal with the club through to the summer of 2031.
The Reds previously saw a bid worth £110million plus add-ons rejected at the start of August.
Liverpool's summer spending spree

- Alexander Isak [Newcastle] £125m – Medical
- Florian Wirtz [Bayer Leverkusen] £116m
- Hugo Ekitike [Eintracht Frankfurt] £69m
- Milos Kerkez [Bournemouth] £40m
- Jeremie Frimpong [Bayer Leverkusen] £29.5m
- Giorgi Mamardashvili [Valencia] £29m
- Giovanni Leoni [Parma] £26m
- Armin Pecsi [Puskas Akademia] £1.5m
- Freddie Woodman [Preston] Free
However, they have now agreed a fixed £125million fee with Newcastle for the Swedish striker.
The Toon Army may receive £130million, though, after agreeing to waive Isak’s loyalty bonus.