‘They like him an awful lot’: Newcastle in talks over £40m Premier League forward who is ‘ready to go’ this summer
Newcastle United Eye Brentford’s Yoane Wissa Amid Summer Recruitment Drive – Exclusive TBR Football Update
TBR Football can exclusively reveal that Newcastle United have intensified their interest in Brentford forward Yoane Wissa as the Magpies continue to explore ways to bolster their attacking options ahead of the new season.
Following a mixed campaign that ended with European qualification, Eddie Howe and his recruitment team are aiming to enhance squad depth and versatility across the frontline. While the club remains highly focused on retaining star striker Alexander Isak—who has attracted interest from clubs including Liverpool—they are also looking to bring in another proven forward to share the attacking load.
One of Newcastle’s top forward targets this summer has been Hugo Ekitike, formerly of Paris Saint-Germain and currently with Eintracht Frankfurt. However, their pursuit has become more complex due to Liverpool’s renewed interest in both Ekitike and, notably, Isak. This has prompted the Magpies to consider alternative options—and Wissa has now emerged as a serious candidate.
Yoane Wissa Drawing Widespread Premier League Interest
According to TBR Football’s chief correspondent, Graeme Bailey, Wissa is not only firmly on Newcastle’s radar but is also a player that manager Eddie Howe “admires greatly.” Newcastle are one of a handful of Premier League clubs currently in active talks with the Brentford star.
“Newcastle are keeping a very close eye on Yoane Wissa,” Bailey said. “They like him an awful lot. Eddie Howe is a big fan.”
Bailey also revealed that Wissa is currently speaking with five top-flight English clubs. Alongside Newcastle, Tottenham Hotspur and Nottingham Forest are also involved in discussions regarding a potential transfer. While Brentford have placed a £50 million valuation on the Congolese international, insiders across the footballing world expect that a deal could be struck closer to the £40 million mark.
“That seems to be the general consensus from conversations with various clubs,” Bailey added. “Wissa is admired for his consistency, durability, and versatility. He rarely misses games, and his ability to play multiple roles across the front line makes him highly valuable.”
A Versatile Attacker with Premier League Pedigree
Since joining Brentford from Ligue 1 side FC Lorient in 2021, Wissa has steadily established himself as one of the Premier League’s most underrated forwards. Over three seasons, the 28-year-old has accumulated an impressive tally of 49 goals and 13 assists in 149 appearances for the Bees, helping them maintain their top-flight status and become a respected mid-table side.
Wissa is known for his pace, direct style, and physicality. He is equally comfortable playing through the middle as a central striker or cutting in from the flanks. His tactical flexibility makes him an asset for managers looking to tweak formations or cover for injuries across the front line.
Each of the clubs in pursuit appears to see him in slightly different roles: Tottenham reportedly view him as a central striker option, possibly as a foil or alternative to Richarlison; Newcastle, too, see him as someone who can contribute centrally but also drift into wide areas when needed. Meanwhile, Nottingham Forest are thought to prefer deploying him in a wide attacking role.
New Tottenham head coach Thomas Frank—Wissa’s current boss at Brentford—has previously hailed the forward as a player capable of delivering “magic moments” and praised his professionalism and big-game mentality.
A Step Up Awaits?
For Newcastle, who are preparing for another season in Europe and have aspirations to challenge the league’s top four again, Wissa’s arrival could provide much-needed firepower and experience. His ability to perform at a consistently high level in the Premier League suggests he would be able to make an immediate impact at St. James’ Park.
Should he make the move, Wissa would not only join an ambitious club on the rise but also be presented with the opportunity to play in the Champions League—something he has not yet experienced in his career. This could serve as a motivating factor for the player as he considers the next step in his journey.
As negotiations continue and the summer transfer window heats up, Newcastle’s pursuit of Yoane Wissa promises to be one of the more intriguing storylines to watch, especially with multiple clubs vying for his signature and Brentford potentially ready to cash in on one of their prized assets.