Keith Andrews is adamant that he did not want to sell Yoane Wissa to Newcastle United.
The deal went through on transfer deadline day, with Wissa joining Newcastle in a deal worth £55million.
It was an uncomfortable saga that had many similarities to the Alexander Isak situation, with both forwards getting what they wanted.
Despite Wissa’s intention to leave, the Brentford boss was always clear that he wanted to keep him at the Gtech Community Stadium. For a long time, it looked like that would be the case as Newcastle pursued Jorgen Strand Larsen as an alternative.
But the situation changed, and now Wissa is a Newcastle United player.
Yoane Wissa shows off his number nine shirt after signing for Newcastle United from Brentford.
Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images
Keith Andrews understands Yoane Wissa’s move to Newcastle United
For the first time since the deal went through, Andrews has spoken to the media ahead of Brentford’s game against Chelsea.
He was asked if he was surprised to see Wissa leave the Bees and move to St James’ Park.
“Understanding of it, I would say,” he said.
“All along, I expected Yoane to stay. Up until the very last press conference before Sunderland, he was nowhere near a move. That is pretty much where I was.
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“I wanted Yoane to stay. Didn’t really want to lose that amount of goals out of the building.
“But equally, I am very understanding of the way this club works. The medium to long-term future of the club is very important.”
'I wanted Yoane to stay – didn't really want to lose that amount of goals out the building, but equally I'm very understanding of how this club works'
Brentford head coach Keith Andrews reacts to Yoane Wissa's deadline day departure to Newcastle pic.twitter.com/avJSJMQenX
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) September 12, 2025
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Newcastle United hand Brentford a massive PSR boost
When Newcastle United sold Alexander Isak to Liverpool for £125million, there was both relief and frustration from an emotional standpoint.
In terms of finances, the Magpies had done a brilliant bit of business. They secured a British record transfer fee, doubling their money on a player who wanted out.
That will massively help Newcastle’s PSR position, while Brentford have received the same kind of boost.
Newcastle overspent on Wissa, paying £55million for a player who they initially wanted for less than £30million.
The Bees got their way, in a summer that also saw them sell Bryan Mbeumo to Manchester United for £71million.
Those two deals saw Brentford lose their two star players, but it should also mean they are in an incredible position to reinvest in the coming years. That is what Andrews was alluding to when he mentioned their ‘long-term future’.