Newcastle United are expected to accelerate their plans to sign Yoane Wissa this summer but it may not unlock the door for Alexander Isak to leave the club.
Brentford are open to selling Wissa now that they are closing in on a replacement in the form of Bournemouth’s Dango Ouattara.
As such, Newcastle are expected to make another bid for Wissa and the DR Congo international is eager to move to St James’ Park.
That would be a huge boost for Eddie Howe, who has seen Newcastle struggle to sign a striker all summer.
Wissa scored 19 Premier League goals last season and would be a fine addition to the Newcastle United squad.
The prospect of him alone replacing Isak, however, is a risk that Howe seemingly doesn’t want to take.
Yoane Wissa celebrates scoring a goal for Brentford against Nottingham Forest.
Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images
Signing Yoane Wissa doesn’t mean Newcastle United will sell Alexander Isak
Should he arrive, Wissa and Anthony Gordon could theoretically operate as Newcastle’s striking options. William Osula and Sean Neave are also available.
Gordon is open to playing as Newcastle’s striker, although clearly that’s not ideal.
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However, Craig Hope of The Daily Mail has revealed that Howe isn’t particularly keen on that idea.
Speaking on a video posted on YouTube, Hope said: “Could Newcastle go with Wissa and Anthony Gordon until January?
“I think that’s a risk. I don’t think Eddie Howe wants that either. It’s why they’ve been looking for two strikers all summer.
“Wissa’s been there in the background now for three weeks. Newcastle have waited because they know of his desire to come and the likelihood of it happening.
“In the meantime, they’ve pursued [Benjamin] Sesko, they’ve gone after others. That’s why they wanted two, Eddie Howe still wants two.
“But time kills transfers and the longer we go on, scenario A for Newcastle is that they find a way of reintegrating Alexander Isak into the group.
“That is still not beyond question.”
The club need to sign two forwards to allow Isak to go. Wissa, then, looks like Callum Wilson’s replacement more than anything else.
Yoane Wissa ‘assured’ about Newcastle United move
According to Sky Sports reporter Keith Downie on social media platform X, Brentford reportedly told Wissa’s agents that they would engage with them about the prospect of a move away once a replacement had arrived.
With the Bees closing in on the Ouattara deal, the move could accelerate now.
Wissa is desperate to join Newcastle and would be a brilliant signing.
Thankfully, however, it doesn’t necessarily mean Isak will be allowed to go as a result either.