Yoane Wissa spent all summer trying to get Brentford to green light a transfer to Newcastle – and he succeeded just in the nick of time on Monday’s deadline day
Yoane Wissa’s decision to take the nuclear option in an effort to force through a move to Newcastle nearly did not pay off. Wissa joined the Magpies in a £55million move from Brentford on transfer deadline day – but his gamble only came good at the last moment.
The 28-year-old striker spent all summer desperately hoping to leave west London for Tyneside, but was made to wait until deadline day. Frustrated with the lack of movement after Brentford rejected two offers, Wissa posted a lengthy statement which accused the club of breaking promises and of holding him hostage.
He ended up moving on Monday, becoming Newcastle’s replacement for Alexander Isak, who headed to Liverpool in a similarly bitter £125m deal. But Sky Sports says Newcastle only got the paperwork completed with 30 seconds to spare.
Wissa reportedly didn’t sign one piece of paper, forcing one of his representatives to race back and get his signature before time ran out. The deal was only ratified by the Premier League at 8.59pm, just under two hours after Newcastle used a deal sheet to get a two-hour extension beyond the 7pm deadline.
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“I’m really happy to be here and to sign for one of the biggest clubs in the Premier League,” Wissa, who drove up to the north east on Sunday night, told the club website. “I’m very, very excited to put on the black and white shirt. I’ve got dreams, I’ve got faith and now I will do my best to make it all happen. I can’t wait to get started.”
Wissa will wear the No.9 shirt vacated by Isak and will compete for a place in the side with fellow new arrival Nick Woltemade. The giant German striker joined in a club-record £69m deal from Stuttgart and Eddie Howe is delighted to have two new forwards after losing Isak and Callum Wilson.
He said: “Yoane is a player who we have admired for some time and we’re delighted to have him on board. He brings proven Premier League quality, demonstrated not only by his goalscoring output but also the crucial work he does for the team.
“Yoane’s style of play will excite our supporters and complement our style of play – he has pace, power and an excellent work rate. He immediately makes us stronger.”
Wissa scored 20 goals in 39 appearances for Brentford last season as he starred alongside Bryan Mbeumo. While Mbeumo got his £71m move to Manchester United completed earlier in the window, Wissa was made to wait, with Brentford insisting he was not for sale.
He has 45 goals in 137 Premier League appearances altogether for Brentford, who he joined back in 2021 from French side Lorient. Wissa has 33 caps for the Democratic Republic of Congo and will be looking forward to representing his new club in the Champions League.
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