Brentford head coach Keith Andrews has underlined his desire to keep Yoane Wissa, despite ongoing transfer interest from Newcastle United.
The 28-year-old forward has been linked with a move away after Newcastle saw a £35m plus £5m bid rejected earlier this week.
Wissa, who scored 20 goals last season, did not feature in Brentford’s opening 3–1 defeat to Nottingham Forest but has since returned to first-team training and seems closer to staying with the Bees rather than moving to Tyneside.
“He’s been training with the team,” Andrews told reporters on Friday. “In terms of being involved this weekend, I’ll make a decision on the squad tomorrow but he’s been part of the group this week. He’s a Brentford player right now. My stance around Yoane all along really has been I don’t want him to leave. That hasn’t really changed in any way, shape or form.”
Andrews admitted he understands Wissa’s situation but insisted he hopes the player stays beyond the transfer deadline.
“I don’t want to lose a player of that quality,” Andrews said. “Hopefully he’s here in the next 10–12 days, certainly as a head coach that’s what I would like.”
Newcastle’s pursuit of Wissa has already seen two bids rejected, while Nottingham Forest also failed with offers earlier this year, disgruntling the forward.
Brentford sources have maintained that the club has not set a target price for the striker, who is under contract until 2026 with an option for a further year, and is more likely to keep him through the summer transfer window than sell him.