Newcastle United have suffered a setback in their chase for Brentford striker Yoane Wissa. Eddie Howe’s team are on the hunt for at least one new forward but have so far found it difficult to secure a deal. The Magpies had set their sights on Hugo Ekitike before Liverpool swooped in and signed him, and it seems a similar situation has occurred with Benjamin Sesko, who appears to have chosen Manchester United instead.
Wissa, 28, has been on Newcastle’s radar for some time after his standout performances in the Premier League in recent years. The DR Congo international netted an impressive 20 goals in 39 matches for Brentford last season.
It is believed that Wissa is eager to part ways with the Bees and last month he returned from the club’s pre-season camp in Portugal for crucial discussions with director of football Phil Giles. Since then, Brentford have come back to the UK, resumed pre-season training at their west London base and triumphed over Queens Park Rangers at Loftus Road.
However, Wissa has not featured in any of Brentford’s pre-season games as he seeks to secure a move this summer. Newcastle remain interested in the former Angers and Lorient striker.
But Newcastle’s hopes of signing Wissa could now be dashed, as L’Equipe has reported that Saudi Pro League team Al-Nassr have joined the race and are willing to meet Brentford’s asking price for the forward.
Brentford’s valuation is reportedly too steep for Newcastle, Tottenham and SC Neom, but Al-Nassr are prepared to explore a potential move and secure a deal before the summer’s end.
Saudi officials are consequently discussing strategies to persuade Brentford, Wissa and his team to join Cristiano Ronaldo and his colleagues in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia.
Missing out on Wissa would be another devastating blow for Newcastle and Howe ahead of the new Premier League season. The Magpies are lacking in attack, even if Alexander Isak becomes available again, following the loss of Callum Wilson to West Ham and the need to bring in at least one striker is crucial.
Isak, on the other hand, is due to train alone as Newcastle get back to work after their Far East trip. It’s now make or break time between Isak, Eddie Howe and the club, and it seems a line has been drawn.
The Swedish international, who has attracted increased transfer interest from Liverpool, was instructed to report for solo training and then receive treatment for the thigh injury that caused his absence from the club’s trip to South Korea and Singapore.
Isak has voiced his wish to leave Newcastle and move west to Liverpool this summer, but Eddie Howe is determined to keep his star player at St James’ Park.