Newcastle: Newcastle United are on the verge of finalizing a significant transfer deal for Brentford’s forward Yoane Wissa, valued at over £50 million. This development follows Wissa’s public statement urging Brentford to honor their commitment and allow him to move.
According to BBC, Brentford has already turned down two offers for the Democratic Republic of Congo international this summer. The most recent offer consisted of £35 million guaranteed, with an additional £5 million in potential add-ons. This move comes shortly after Liverpool set a British transfer record by agreeing to a £125 million fee to acquire Newcastle’s striker Alexander Isak.
Wissa expressed his frustration, stating, “I believe the club are unduly standing in my way despite a series of fair offers throughout the summer.” In response, Brentford and Newcastle resumed negotiations on Monday, aiming to finalize the deal before the 19:00 BST deadline.
Brentford has been actively involved in the transfer market, having sold forward Bryan Mbeumo to Manchester United for an initial £65 million earlier in the window. Additionally, goalkeeper Mark Flekken joined Bayer Leverkusen for £8 million, and midfielder Christian Norgaard moved to Arsenal in a £15 million deal. Last month, Brentford completed a club record deal, acquiring forward Dango Ouattara from Bournemouth for up to £42.5 million.
The pursuit of Wissa marks a significant shift in Newcastle’s transfer strategy, as highlighted by Newcastle United reporter Ciaran Kelly. Historically, Newcastle has not recruited any outfield players aged 26 or older in over three years. However, Wissa, who turns 29 this week, appears to be an exception due to his impressive track record in the Premier League.
Wissa’s rapid progression from playing in the French second division in 2020 to becoming the leading non-penalty goal scorer in the Premier League last season has made him an attractive target for Newcastle. His instincts in the box, fitness, and versatility are seen as valuable assets for the club, especially following the departure of Isak to Liverpool.
If Newcastle successfully secures Wissa, he will be expected to play a pivotal role in filling the gap left by Isak’s departure, further strengthening Newcastle’s attacking options.