Newcastle World Essential: Your weekly digest bringing you all the important news from our great city.
Once completed, the Bees are expected to approve Yoane Wissa’s departure, with Newcastle United awaiting the go-ahead to wrap up the transfer.
Wissa departed Brentford’s pre-season camp in Portugal last month after telling them he wanted to join Newcastle, who had seen a £25million offer turned down.
The 28-year-old stayed away from team training until returning last week. However, he missed last Friday’s friendly against Borussia Monchengladbach and will not feature in the Premier League opener away to Nottingham Forest on Sunday.
Having already lost key men Christian Norgaard and Bryan Mbeumo to Arsenal and Manchester United, respectively, plus manager Thomas Frank to Tottenham Hotspur, Brentford have refused to sell Wissa without signing a replacement.
That search now appears to be nearly over, with talkSPORT claiming the West London club are closing in on a £42.5million agreement for Bournemouth’s Ouattara.
Journalist Ben Jacobs posted on X: “Brentford are nearing a £42.5m deal for Bournemouth forward Dango Ouattara. Full agreement not done yet but expected soon and Ouattara is keen on the switch.”
Newcastle had hoped to secure Wissa before Saturday’s Premier League opener against Aston Villa, with Alexander Isak refusing to play meaning Anthony Gordon will start up front. Isak is training separately from the squad as he pushes for a move to Liverpool.
Next week could finally see Wissa’s anticipated move to Tyneside go through, with reports suggesting the final fee will be around £35m.
Explaining why Wissa was omitted this weekend, Brentford head coach Keith Andrews said: “We’ve decided he’s not [available] after a very disrupted pre-season. There’s interest in Yoane, but I’ve been clear on the matter: I want Yoane here.
“I want him part of the first-team squad, and I see that going forward, but I understand his position. I’ve got a strong relationship with him that will remain. Still, we must focus on players who are ready, and Yoane isn’t in that space. He won’t be involved.”
Asked if Wissa is likely to stay, Andrews replied: “I don’t know. It’s difficult to say. I know what I’d like – I’d like Wissa to remain part of the first team. Where it ends, I’m unsure. But as a club, we certainly want him here.”
Wissa is viewed as a replacement for Callum Wilson, who joined West Ham United on a free transfer, rather than for Isak. As reported by NewcastleWorld, Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson has become a top option if the Swede does leave.
Isak’s departure depends on Newcastle landing a replacement and Liverpool matching their reported £150m valuation.
