In a significant development in the summer transfer window, Brentford has turned down Newcastle United's latest offer for their prolific forward Yoane Wissa. The bid, reportedly worth £35 million upfront plus an additional £5 million in add-ons, was rejected by the Bees, who insist they have not set a public target price for the 28-year-old DR Congo international.
According to exclusive reports from The Athletic's David Ornstein, Wissa is eager to make the switch to St James' Park, viewing it as a step up in his career. However, Brentford's firm stance suggests negotiations could drag on as the transfer deadline approaches. This marks the second rejection from Brentford to Newcastle for Wissa this summer, following an earlier £25 million proposal that was also dismissed in July.
🚨 EXCL: Brentford turn down latest offer from Newcastle United for Yoane Wissa. Bid worth £35m + £5m rejected & #BrentfordFC sources insist target price on 28yo striker never given to anyone. DR Congo int’l determined to secure #NUFC switch @TheAthleticFC https://t.co/ei3ef8r6uP
— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) August 20, 2025
Background on Yoane Wissa's Brentford Journey
Yoane Wissa has been a key figure for Brentford since joining from French club Lorient in 2021. Over 149 appearances, he has netted 49 goals and provided 13 assists, establishing himself as a reliable and versatile attacker in the Premier League. His standout performance came in the 2024-25 season, where he scored 19 league goals, contributing significantly to Brentford's attacking output alongside former teammate Bryan Mbeumo. Together, the duo accounted for 39 of Brentford's 66 Premier League goals that campaign.
Wissa's contract situation adds intrigue to the saga—he has just one year remaining on his current deal, though Brentford holds an option to extend it by an additional 12 months. Recently, the forward returned from Brentford's pre-season camp in Portugal to engage in face-to-face discussions with club officials about his future. Notably, he did not participate in any pre-season friendlies and was omitted from the squad for Brentford's opening Premier League match—a 3-1 defeat to Nottingham Forest.
Newcastle's Striker Search and Internal Turmoil
Newcastle's pursuit of Wissa comes amid a challenging transfer window for the Magpies, who are seeking reinforcements up front. The club has faced setbacks with several targets, including Eintracht Frankfurt's Hugo Ekitike (who joined Liverpool), Joao Pedro and Liam Delap (both to Chelsea), and Benjamin Sesko (to Manchester United). This interest in Wissa intensified after cooling on Ekitike, highlighting Newcastle's urgency to bolster their attacking options.
Compounding matters is the uncertainty surrounding their current star striker, Alexander Isak. The Swedish international has publicly expressed dissatisfaction, posting on social media that he "can’t continue" in reference to his situation at the club. Newcastle fans and management alike are hoping a new signing like Wissa could stabilize the forward line and potentially convince Isak to stay.
Brentford's Summer Overhaul
Brentford, meanwhile, is navigating a period of substantial change. The club has lost head coach Thomas Frank to Tottenham Hotspur, along with three members of his backroom staff. Key players have also departed: captain Christian Norgaard to Arsenal and top scorer Bryan Mbeumo to Manchester United. Retaining Wissa could be crucial for Brentford as they aim to rebuild and avoid a relegation battle in the upcoming season.
Interest in Wissa isn't limited to Newcastle. Nottingham Forest had bids rejected for the striker in both January and July of 2025, underscoring his appeal across the league.
What’s Next in the Transfer Window?
As the window nears its close, all eyes will be on whether Newcastle returns with an improved offer or shifts focus elsewhere. Brentford's anonymous sources maintain that no valuation has been communicated, leaving room for speculation on what figure might tempt them to sell.
For Wissa, a move to Newcastle represents an opportunity to compete at a higher level, but his determination will be tested if negotiations stall.
