Craig Hope: Newcastle are “going” to sign £35m star next week, he could be Elanga 2.0
Newcastle United’s Premier League opener against Aston Villa laid bare their urgent need for attacking reinforcements.
Without the suspended Alexander Isak, Eddie Howe’s side fired off 16 shots but failed to convert any, leaving Anthony Gordon to shoulder the goalscoring burden in an unfamiliar center-forward role.
While Howe praised his team’s resilience after the 0-0 draw, the match underscored what every Newcastle supporter already knew—the Magpies desperately need a proven striker.
After a summer of near-misses that saw Benjamin Šeško choose Manchester United and Chelsea hijack moves for João Pedro and Liam Delap, Newcastle appear close to finally landing their man.
According to Daily Mail journalist Craig Hope, Brentford’s Yoane Wissa is expected to complete a £35 million move to St James’ Park next week. The Congolese international has been on Newcastle’s radar throughout the window, and his potential arrival could help stabilize a frontline in transition.
Wissa’s Premier League pedigree makes him an intriguing option. After a modest debut season with just two league goals, the 28-year-old has blossomed into one of the division’s most improved attackers.
His transformation under Thomas Frank’s guidance mirrors Anthony Elanga’s development at Nottingham Forest another success story Newcastle hopes to replicate.
Yoane Wissa’s Brentford Evolution
| Season | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024/25 | 39 | 20 | 5 |
| 2023/24 | 36 | 12 | 4 |
| 2022/23 | 40 | 7 | 3 |
| 2021/22 | 34 | 10 | 1 |
Source: Transfermarkt
These numbers reveal a player hitting his prime at the perfect time. Wissa’s career-best 20-goal campaign last season demonstrates his ability to thrive as a focal point—a quality Newcastle sorely needs.
His partnership with Bryan Mbeumo at Brentford suggests he could form a similarly productive understanding with Elanga, who arrives fresh from a 12-assist season at Forest.
The parallels between Wissa and Elanga are striking. Both players revitalized their careers after leaving bigger clubs (Wissa from Lorient, Elanga from Manchester United), proving themselves as reliable Premier League performers before earning moves to Tyneside.
At 28, Wissa offers the experience and consistency Newcastle require to offset Isak’s potential departure, while still possessing the athleticism to suit Howe’s high-intensity system.
While not a like-for-like replacement for Isak, Wissa’s skill set could complement Newcastle’s existing attackers.
His movement between the lines and clinical finishing would provide a different dimension to Gordon’s direct running and Elanga’s creative flair.
The Congolese forward has also shown impressive adaptability—capable of leading the line or operating from wide areas, giving Howe valuable tactical flexibility.
The proposed £35 million fee represents sensible business for a player entering his peak years with proven top-flight credentials.
In today’s inflated market, where unproven talents frequently command higher prices, Wissa’s relatively modest valuation allows Newcastle to allocate resources elsewhere particularly important given their need to strengthen multiple positions before the window closes.
Of course, replacing a talent like Isak was never going to be straightforward. The Swedish striker’s combination of technical quality and physical presence makes him virtually irreplaceable at his best.
However, Wissa’s arrival would at least give Newcastle a reliable goalscoring option while they navigate the complexities of Isak’s situation. With Liverpool reportedly keen on the Swede, having an alternative already integrated could prove crucial in negotiations.
Newcastle’s recruitment team deserves credit for identifying Wissa early and remaining patient amid several setbacks.
His signing would continue their strategy of targeting players whose values could appreciate—a policy that has already yielded successes with Bruno Guimarães and Sven Botman.
At 28, Wissa may not have the resale value of younger targets, but his immediate impact could be worth far more to a club chasing European qualification.
As the transfer enters its final stages, Newcastle fans will hope Wissa can emulate Elanga’s instant impact rather than follow the path of some previous strikers who struggled to adapt to the club’s unique pressures.
His experience handling expectations at Brentford—where he became the main man after Ivan Toney’s departure—suggests he’s ready for the challenge.
With the September 1 deadline fast approaching, this deal could define Newcastle’s window and their season. While not the glamorous name some supporters might have hoped for, Wissa’s consistent output and Premier League pedigree make him a shrewd addition.
If he can maintain last season’s form in black and white, the Magpies may have found their missing piece at a fraction of the cost of other targets.