The news on Monday morning that Brentford had supposedly [upped their asking price](https://www.nufcblog.co.uk/2025/08/18/yoane-wissas-proposed-move-from-brentford-to-newcastle-could-be-blocked-report/) for Yoane Wissa sent shivers down the spines of Newcastle United fans everywhere.
For weeks, the expectation was that the Congolese forward would be on his way to Tyneside as our Callum Wilson replacement, and likely leading the line until either a premium striker option emerged or Alexander Isak returned from his strike.
But the £60m ‘fresh’ asking price from the Bees could kill any chance of us securing a deal for Wissa, far exceeding our £35-40m valuation of the 28-year-old.
With us still needing at least two strikers through the doors to begin contemplating letting Isak leave the club, our number of potential options is decreasing and decreasing seemingly every day. And Aston Villa may soon take another one of our linked targets…
According to Sky Sports, Aston Villa have now entered the race to sign Nicolas Jackson this summer, as the Senegalese striker edges closer and closer to leaving Chelsea.
Sky reporter Florian Plettenberg posted on X: “Aston Villa have added Nicolas Jackson to their shortlist and are closely monitoring his situation. Talks have already taken place.”
With rumours of a potential move to Bayern Munich quickly dismissed, and Manchester United landing Benjamin Sesko, it feels like either ourselves or Villa will be where Jackson ends up by September 1st.
There have been hints that Jackson could be a like-for-like replacement for Ollie Watkins, who himself has been linked with a move away from his current club this window. But Villa like us will no doubt want at least two dependable strikers going forward considering our respective European competitions.
Back to Wissa, The Mail’s Craig Hope reports that Newcastle are set for crucial talks with Brentford today over a deal.
He reports that Brentford had been sticking to a £50m valuation, but Newcastle remain invested and are hoping for a breakthrough over the next 24 hours.
However, a compromise will be needed, with PIF unwilling to go near £50m for a player who is nearing his 29th birthday.
Posting on X, Hope said: “Newcastle still focused on deal for Yoane Wissa & next 24 hours will be key
“Word over weekend of Brentford sticking to £50m valuation (& reports today that is now £60m)
”NUFC won’t deal at those numbers (PIF simply would not allow it) but are hopeful of reaching agreement when talks resume today
”They’re still looking for the 2 strikers that would allow them to consider Isak sale (as has been the plan all summer)… Ramos remains an option
”But if Wissa does not happen, the chances of Isak going reduce significantly
“NUFC have waited knowing Wissa’s desire, but an outcome either way is needed now.”