Newcastle United have seen a fresh £40m bid for Yoane Wissa turned down by Brentford as they continue their push to bolster Eddie Howe’s frontline amid growing uncertainty over Alexander Isak’s future.
With Isak training separately in a bid to force a switch to Liverpool, Wissa sat out Brentford’s 3-1 defeat to Nottingham Forest last weekend as he too attempts to engineer a move to St James’ Park. Newcastle, however, remain adamant they will not sanction Isak’s departure this summer – though the potential arrival of Wissa could shift the picture.
Despite talk on Tyneside that Wissa is being targeted as a direct replacement for Callum Wilson, who left for West Ham earlier in the window, comparisons with Isak are unavoidable. The Congolese striker scored 19 goals in 35 league appearances last term – all from open play – while Isak netted 23 in 34, four of which were penalties.
Wissa, who turns 29 next month and has just a year left on his contract, remains highly valued by Brentford, particularly after a summer of upheaval that saw manager Thomas Frank join Tottenham, captain Christian Nørgaard move to Arsenal, and strike partner Bryan Mbeumo sign for Manchester United.
Newcastle’s opening £25m approach was swiftly rejected, and their improved £35m plus £5m in add-ons offer – submitted hours after Isak’s explosive Instagram post accusing the club of broken promises – was also dismissed. Brentford are holding out for closer to £50-60m.
Even so, with Wissa pushing for the exit – going as far as stripping Brentford from his social media profiles – and the club already signing Dango Ouattara, Newcastle believe a deal could yet be struck in the coming days. Any agreement, however, is unlikely to be completed in time for Howe to call on Wissa in Monday night’s highly-anticipated clash with Liverpool.
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