Report: Newcastle move closer to signing Brentford’s Yoane Wissa

Newcastle United appear to be edging closer to the signing of Brentford’s Yoane Wissa, as reports suggest significant progress in talks between the two clubs.

After a summer that has failed to live up to expectations, the Magpies may finally be on the verge of landing a Premier League-proven striker to strengthen their attacking line.

Anticipation was high heading into this transfer window. With improvements in the club’s Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) position, funds available to spend, and the added appeal of European football, optimism flowed through the fanbase and boardroom alike.

The belief was that Newcastle, coming off their most successful campaign in decades, would seize the opportunity to invest boldly and decisively.

However, what followed was a string of disappointments, particularly in the search for a new striker. Efforts to sign Liam Delap, Joao Pedro, and Hugo Ekitike all ended in failure, leaving a noticeable void in the club’s transfer ambitions.

Despite those setbacks, Newcastle have remained proactive in identifying fresh alternatives. One name gaining real traction is Yoane Wissa.

The 28-year-old Brentford forward has emerged as a serious target, and according to reports from France, negotiations are moving forward.

L’Equipe claim the Magpies are making significant headway in securing the deal, while journalist David Ornstein recently confirmed that the club has begun exploring a potential agreement for the Congolese international.

Tottenham and Nottingham Forest have also expressed interest, but Newcastle seem to be leading the charge.

BBC Sport has added further weight to the growing speculation, revealing that personal terms would not pose a challenge.

Wissa himself is said to be keen on leaving Brentford in pursuit of European competition, a key factor that works in Newcastle’s favour.

Sky Sports’ Sacha Tavolieri also noted that discussions remain ongoing between the two Premier League clubs, with a resolution believed to be within reach.

While Wissa may not have been Newcastle’s initial priority in this window, his performance over the 2024/25 season speaks volumes.

The versatile forward netted 20 goals across all competitions, a tally that placed him just behind Mohamed Salah in terms of non-penalty goals in the league.

The season prior, he scored 12 more and has shown he can operate both as a central striker and out wide, providing the sort of tactical flexibility that Eddie Howe values in his squad.

However, negotiating with Brentford may prove far from straightforward. The club has already endured a significant talent exodus this summer.

Head coach Thomas Frank has departed, goalkeeper Mark Flekken has joined Bayer Leverkusen, and captain Christian Norgaard has surprisingly landed at Arsenal.

Meanwhile, Bryan Mbeumo recently completed a high-profile £71 million switch to Manchester United. These exits have left the Bees wary of losing yet another influential figure, and they are not in a financial position that necessitates a sale.

Nevertheless, tensions are reportedly growing behind the scenes. Contract negotiations between Wissa and Brentford have stalled, potentially giving Newcastle the upper hand.

If the forward pushes for the move, the club may find themselves with little choice but to negotiate. That scenario could allow the Magpies to bring the price down from Brentford’s current valuation, although there’s also the risk that the longer talks drag on, the more likely it becomes that Newcastle meet the asking price to avoid missing out once again.

Securing Wissa would give Newcastle a much-needed boost in the final third. He offers a proven goal threat, Premier League experience, and the ability to operate across multiple attacking positions.

Crucially, he would serve as an ideal complement or alternative to Alexander Isak, especially with Callum Wilson’s long-term reliability still in question.

With time ticking down in the window, Newcastle may finally be ready to make a decisive move and deliver a transfer that reignites momentum heading into the new season.