Brentford boss Keith Andrews suddenly changes tune regarding Newcastle United striker target
The protracted transfer saga surrounding Yoane Wissa has taken another dramatic turn as Brentford manager Keith Andrews abruptly shifted his public stance regarding the striker’s future.
What initially appeared as an amicable separation has devolved into a bitter standoff, with the Congolese international now training separately after abandoning the club’s preseason preparations in Portugal.
Wissa’s belief that Brentford reneged on a verbal agreement to facilitate his departure this summer has created an increasingly toxic atmosphere at the West London club.
The 28-year-old striker, who will enter his thirties next season, views Newcastle’s interest as his final opportunity to join a Champions League-caliber squad before his prime years conclude.
His drastic actions—including scrubbing all Brentford references from his social media accounts—mirror the discontent shown by Alexander Isak at Newcastle, creating parallel crises at both clubs.
Andrews’ recent comments to TalkSPORT mark a stark departure from his previously conciliatory tone. The Brentford manager now claims Wissa “owes him” for last season’s career-best campaign, where seven of his 19 goals originated from set-piece routines Andrews implemented.
This sudden hardline position suggests Brentford’s hierarchy has instructed their coach to adopt a tougher negotiating stance as they seek to maximize Wissa’s transfer value.
Key Developments in Wissa Transfer Drama
| Situation | Impact |
|---|---|
| Training camp walkout | Severed relations with teammates/staff |
| Social media purge | Eliminated goodwill with Brentford fans |
| Andrews’ changed stance | Signaled club’s uncompromising position |
| Newcastle’s striker crisis | Strengthened Brentford’s bargaining power |
Brentford’s strategic maneuvering puts Newcastle in a precarious position. The Magpies’ desperate need for attacking reinforcements—amplified by Isak’s own transfer demands has left them vulnerable to inflated pricing.
While Brentford technically hold no obligation to sell, their handling of Wissa’s expectations raises ethical questions about verbal agreements in football’s transfer market.
The situation grows more complex when examining Wissa’s contractual leverage. With three years remaining on his deal, Brentford possess ultimate control, but risk retaining an unmotivated player should negotiations collapse.
For Newcastle, the dilemma involves determining whether Wissa’s proven Premier League quality justifies meeting Brentford’s heightened demands, rumored to exceed £35 million.
This standoff reflects broader issues in modern football transfers, where player empowerment clashes with clubs’ financial interests.
Wissa’s actions, though extreme, highlight the precarious nature of gentlemen’s agreements in an industry where written contracts ultimately govern all transactions.
Newcastle’s recruitment team must now weigh whether acquiring a disgruntled player—no matter how talented aligns with Eddie Howe’s carefully cultivated squad harmony.
As the September deadline approaches, resolution seems possible only through compromise. Brentford must decide whether extracting maximum value outweighs keeping an unsettled star, while Newcastle must determine if Wissa’s goalscoring prowess justifies both the financial outlay and the precedent set by accommodating his forceful transfer tactics.
One certainty remains—this saga’s conclusion will reverberate through future negotiations for both clubs.