If it wasn’t obvious enough before the Aston Villa game, Saturday’s 0-0 draw with Unai Emery’s side underlined Newcastle United’s desperate need for a new striker.
With Alexander Isak not available for Newcastle United and Callum Wilson having left the club earlier this summer, Eddie Howe’s side are crying out for some attacking reinforcements.
Yoane Wissa looks to be the leading target during what remains of the summer transfer window. Brentford are open to selling Wissa, who scored 19 Premier League goals last season but reportedly want around £40million for the DR Congo international.
Newcastle view Wissa as Wilson’s replacement rather than Isak’s, so even his potential arrival is not enough to absolutely guarantee that the wantaway Sweden international will be allowed to join Liverpool.
Newcastle have been tipped to sign Wissa but, clearly, it all rests on the club’s talks with Brentford. The Bees extracted maximum value out of Manchester United for Bryan Mbeumo and are unlikely to let Wissa go cheaply even despite their reported willingness to sell now.
Fresh talks, however, are planned.
- Who is Yoane Wissa? Newcastle United’s £55m Alexander Isak replacement
Newcastle United set for Yoane Wissa talks imminently
According to journalist Ben Jacobs on social media platform X, Newcastle are expected to renew talks with Brentford about signing the 28-year-old imminently.
On Saturday, the London club announced the club-record signing of Bournemouth forward Dango Ouattara, who could be seen as Wissa’s replacement.
Jacobs adds that personal terms between Wissa and Newcastle are unlikely to be an issue if the clubs can agree a fee.
Yoane Wissa missed Brentford’s first game of the season
As expected, Wissa was not playing for Brentford against Nottingham Forest.
Bees boss Keith Andrews confirmed the forward was not going to feature as he was not in the right headspace after so much speculation about his future.
The forward was not included in Brentford’s squad who travelled to the City Ground on Sunday afternoon.
It certainly seems as if Wissa will be leaving, but the hardest bit is yet to come for Newcastle.
They will need to agree a fee and it seems unlikely that owners PIF will be held to ransom for a player approaching 30.
Receive a digest of our best Newcastle content each week direct to your mailbox
