Joao Pedro was the perfect fit for Newcastle United, the ideal profile to nestle into the front ranks and challenge Alexander Isak for the spot at number nine.
The Brazil forward's range of properties even suggested he could be ferried out wide, matching the fluid positional values Eddie Howe seeks from his players.
However, the Toon could only watch as Pedro opted to become the latest to walk the well-trodden path from Brighton to Chelsea, joining Enzo Maresca's side for £60m.
Joao-Pedro
Newcastle have since agreed a £52m deal with Nottingham Forest for Anthony Elanga, but a frontman is still needed.
The latest on Newcastle's search for a striker
It's a marker of PIF's ambition that they have expressed an interest in signing Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike.
However, the Frenchman, 23, is valued at €100m (£85m), and this is too expensive, with Ekitike's many suitors all presently hesitant to advance their curiosity.
While Dominic Calvert-Lewin, a free agent after leaving Everton last month, would be a far less costly option, he's perhaps not quite good enough for Howe's vision.
Especially when considering Brentford's Yoane Wissa is an option. As per Caught Offside, the 28-year-old is attracting interest from all the far-flung corners of the Premier League, with the Magpies joined by Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur in their interest.
Spurs appear to be leading the pack, having already begun talks ahead of a potential move, although both Newcastle and the Red Devils are set to offer 'competition', with the pair said to be 'both exploring the market' for a new centre-forward.
yoane-wissa-premier-league-brentford
He's been priced at £50m, and that's no small sum. However, Wissa is a proven goalscorer in England's top flight and is dynamic enough to play that Pedro-esque role, knocking on Isak's door or indeed complementing him.
What Yoane Wissa would bring to Newcastle
Wissa has been an important player for Brentford over the past four years, helping Frank to secure a comfortable place in the Premier League after joining from French club Lorient for £8.5m in 2021.
Wissa season in numbers 2024-25 (timeless)
With an interesting blend of pace and power, Wissa is the real deal, stepping up and then some for the Bees over the past year, with Ivan Toney having moved to the Saudi Pro League.
As Brentford's focal striker last season, he scored 19 goals and provided five assists across 35 Premier League matches, with Frank describing his iconic partnership with Bryan Mbeumo as "unplayable" (after their 4-1 win over the Toon in December 2024).
Wissa's distinctive style of play has even seen Newcastle's Isak drawn as one of his most comparable players. FBref's data pointed toward a likeness, with Wissa ranked among the top 15% of strikers across Europe last year for goals scored, the top 14% for pass completion and the top 18% for progressive carries per 90.
Isak scored 27 goals across all competitions in 2024/25, but he offers so much more than a mere goal threat, with intelligent off-the-ball movement and menacing motions in the final third apt to wrongfoot many an unfortunate defender.
Wissa isn't Isak, but he does have a wide-ranging skill set of his own that offers shades of the 25-year-old's game. This is why United wanted Pedro. They missed out, but could sign just as interesting a profile here.
Yoane Wissa - Brentford Stats by Position (all comps)
Position
Centre-forward
Left winger
Right winger
Attacking midfield
Data via Transfermarkt
As you can see, his versatile nature expands his potential in a prospective attacking position at Newcastle. He's been hailed for his "unbelievable" quality by former Brentford boss Thomas Frank.
In this way, Wissa's similarity with Isak is further underscored, for the Sweden international, while typically fixed at number nine, has been called "the complete striker" by pundit Alan Shearer, who even went on to liken him to Arsenal legend Thierry Henry.
Alexander-Isak-2
As Howe leads his troops back onto Europe's elite stage, he'll need strength in depth to compete and to flourish.
In Wissa, he might just find the perfect man for the job.
Elanga-Forest-Newcastle-transfer Related
[Better than Elanga: Newcastle ready to accelerate move for £40m "menace"](https://www.footballfancast.com/better-than-elanga-newcastle-ready-to-accelerate-move-for-jack-grealish/ "Better than Elanga: Newcastle ready to accelerate move for £40m "menace"")
Newcastle are looking to add further depth out wide