Newcastle United in talks to secure 'absolutely genius' transfer - confidence growing
A Newcastle United deal for Yoane Wissa would be ‘absolutely genius’, according to our writers.
Newcastle United are working on a deal to sign Yoane Wissa from Premier League rivals Brentford.
In addition to keeping Alexander Isak at the club, the Magpies have been searching to sign a forward to replace Callum Wilson after he departed at the end of his contract earlier this month.
Newcastle made early moves for Liam Delap and Joao Pedro but watched as both players decided to join Chelsea. Hugo Ekitike was also in talks to join last week before Premier League champions Liverpool ran Eddie Howe’s side out of the race.
Newcastle United pursuing Yoane Wissa deal - player keen on move
United are now pursuing Wissa and there are strong suggestions that a deal is heading in the right direction. An opening bid of £25million was rejected, but an improved offer of £30m plus add-ons could get the ball rolling.
The DR Congo international, who scored 19 Premier League goals last season, is keen on moving to St James’ Park following a chaotic summer that has seen the Bees lose their manager Thomas Frank, captain Christian Norgaard and talisman Bryan Mbeumo
Wissa is out of contract next summer, though the West London club have an option to extend until 2027. The player recently returned home from the Bees’ training camp in Portugal to resolve his future.
Yoane Wissa would be an ‘absolutely genius’ deal for Newcastle United
Speaking on Geordie Journos, Jordan Cronin and Liam Kennedy agreed that signing Wissa would represent an excellent piece of business, given he is Premier League proven and can play anywhere across the front line.
“There are suggestions that a deal could be done at £30m plus. He scored 20 goals last year, so if you can get him around that price, I think it’s a great deal,” said Jordan.
“Chris Wood costs £25m,” Liam added. It's a great deal. I'm a touch sceptical of the price tag, that's my only thing. And I would be wary of Tottenham interest. That would be the two caveats I'd put to it.
“It's an interesting move because everything I've heard with regards to the type of player, the parameters that they had in the search, it doesn't fit that many of them. Is it fair to say? They like height. They like speed. They're like age profile. He doesn't fit any of those.
“What he does really fit the category of is he's not a striker. I know he played striker and it was brilliant how he adapted to playing a striker last season. He was brilliant with Ivan Toney going out with the team, etc, but he's not really a striker.
“He plays across the front and he can probably do a bit deeper, so he fits the Joe Pedro mold almost just a fair bit older and probably nowhere near as high a ceiling and all as high a price tag.
“I think if you could get him as a couple of years signing, I think it's an absolutely genius deal.”
Jordan agreed: “Yeah. You're essentially signing a Premier League proven player for what I would say a reasonable price. He's a, he's a top Premier League player.
“For me, okay, he's 28, I think he turns 29 in September. He's on the older side, if you like, but as you mentioned before, for two or three years to come in and essentially score goals, what he's done, he's proven at Premier League level, I think for that fee, £35 million, makes total sense.
“If they can get that done, I think that's really, really good business.”