JUST IN: Newcastle United pushing to seal £70m swoop as Eddie Howe offers transfer response
Isak Set to Miss Villa Clash as Newcastle Step Up Transfer Push
Newcastle United look increasingly resigned to being without Alexander Isak for the Premier League opener against Aston Villa, with Eddie Howe once again admitting over the weekend that—if it were up to him—the Swedish striker would already be back in training and fighting for a place in the starting XI.
Instead, Howe and his coaching staff are being forced to look for inspiration elsewhere, as the club accelerates its pursuit of key transfer targets at both ends of the pitch.
One such target, Brentford forward Yoane Wissa, continues to be absent from first-team duties in West London. The Congolese international was once again omitted from the matchday squad as the Bees played out a draw with Bundesliga side Borussia Monchengladbach over the weekend. Wissa, who has made clear his desire to move on this summer, has also refrained from training alongside his teammates as he pushes for an exit.
Sources close to the negotiations suggest Newcastle have held further talks in recent days, with growing optimism that a deal can be concluded. The fee is expected to be in the region of £35 million, a figure seen as reasonable for a player of Wissa’s versatility and proven Premier League track record.
At the other end of the pitch, Newcastle’s hierarchy are also deep in discussions over a move for long-term defensive target Malick Thiaw. The AC Milan centre-back, a German international, has been a regular at the San Siro since joining from Schalke in 2022 and was in Dublin over the weekend for Milan’s friendly against Leeds United. The Magpies are believed to be prepared to match Milan’s valuation, with a deal again expected to cost around £35 million.
Howe, speaking after his side’s friendly defeat to Atletico Madrid at St James’ Park, sidestepped direct questions on the Thiaw negotiations but made no secret of the fact that reinforcements are needed before the window closes.
> “In terms of the squad, we’ve got some work to do in the transfer market,” Howe admitted. “I think that’s the only place we can get what we need in the next few weeks. As I’ve said many times, we’ll be actively trying to bring players in. We’ve got some very, very good players—there’s no doubting the quality—but we currently have an unbalanced squad. With a few departures and not enough numbers coming in, there’s still work to do.”
With Isak’s situation unresolved, Wissa pushing for a move, and Thiaw firmly on the radar, Newcastle face a crucial few weeks both on and off the pitch. The next steps in the transfer market could well define how competitive they will be in the early part of the 2025/26 season.