Newcastle United are back in the market searching for a striker after losing out on Hugo Ekitike, who opted to join Liverpool instead.
That setback has left the Magpies reassessing their attacking options, determined not to miss out again as they seek to strengthen the squad ahead of the new season.
While Alexander Isak looks certain to remain at St. James’ Park, fans know the squad needs more depth in forward positions.
Young striker William Osula is still developing and cannot yet be relied on as a consistent backup, especially with a demanding Premier League and European campaign ahead.
In the aftermath of the failed Ekitike move, Newcastle have turned their attention to several other targets. Reports have linked the club with interest in Benjamin Sesko and Julian Alvarez, while Dominic Calvert-Lewin has also emerged as a name under discussion.
However, one player now gaining traction in the recruitment team’s discussions is Brentford forward Yoane Wissa.
The Congolese international is quickly becoming a prime candidate to bolster Newcastle’s frontline. According to Sky Sports’ Keith Downie, Newcastle are actively negotiating with Brentford after an initial £25 million bid was rejected.
The club is expected to return with an improved offer of £30 million plus add-ons, and there’s a growing sense among insiders that a deal could be struck soon.
Wissa is reportedly eager for a new challenge and has shown a strong interest in joining a club that offers Champions League football.
With Newcastle offering that platform and Brentford undergoing a period of change—losing manager Thomas Frank and key players like Bryan Mbeumo, Christian Nørgaard, and Mark Flekken—this could be the right time for Wissa to move on.
New boss Keith Andrews is set to rebuild, and Wissa could be the latest big name out the door.
The 28-year-old forward impressed last season after stepping up in the absence of Ivan Toney, who left for Al-Ahli in Saudi Arabia.
Wissa finished the Premier League season with an impressive 20 goals and four assists, trailing only Mohamed Salah in non-penalty goals scored.
That return underlined his evolution into a lethal finisher and highlighted why so many clubs are circling.
Across four seasons at Brentford, Wissa has scored 49 goals in 149 appearances—a superb return for a player who cost just £8.5 million from Lorient.
His consistent output, sharp movement, and positional versatility make him one of the most underrated strikers in the division.
Statistically, he compares favourably to other top-tier strikers. According to FBref, Wissa produces more shot-creating actions per 90 minutes than Dominic Solanke, registers more touches than João Pedro or Liam Delap, and boasts a better pass completion rate than both Alexander Isak and Erling Haaland.
He also played 3,072 minutes last season—second only to Isak among his positional peers—proving both his reliability and stamina.
Football experts have even drawn comparisons between Wissa and former Newcastle favourite Demba Ba. Like Ba, Wissa is a clinical striker who thrives on instinctive finishes, intelligent runs, and efficiency inside the box.
While Ba notched 16 goals and two assists in his most productive Premier League season, Wissa bettered that with 20 goals and four assists over a similar number of minutes.
Though Ba averaged slightly more shots on target per game, Wissa’s ability to outperform his expected goals (xG) metric proves his finishing touch is more than just luck.
Still, there are a few potential drawbacks. At 28, Wissa doesn’t align with Newcastle’s usual age preference of targeting players under 24.
Moreover, he is likely to miss a portion of the 2025/26 season due to Africa Cup of Nations commitments with DR Congo. That said, his Premier League pedigree, versatility across the front line, and match-winning qualities may outweigh those concerns—especially with Callum Wilson’s departure leaving a major gap in attacking options.
As alternatives like Calvert-Lewin remain under review, Wissa presents an opportunity to sign a proven goalscorer who understands the demands of English football.
If Newcastle can successfully negotiate a reasonable fee, they may just land a hidden gem—an instinctive poacher ready to make St. James’ Park roar again.
