Brentford striker Yoane Wissa is still holding out hope of joining Newcastle United.
Wissa missed the Bees’ Premier League opening day defeat at Nottingham Forest last Sunday but returned to team training ahead of yesterday’s 1-0 victory over Aston Villa.
The 28-year-old had previously refused to train in an attempt to through a move to Newcastle United.
Earlier this week, Wissa deleted all mention of Brentford on his Instagram account and was subject to a fresh bid from Newcastle, who upped their offer for £25million to £40m.
The bid was rejected, much to Wissa’s disappointment. But according to manager Keith Andrews on Friday, there was a chance the striker could be involved against Villa.
Brentford boss explains Yoane Wissa decision
Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Andrews told reporters: "He’s been training with the team. 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 is that I don’t want him to leave and that hasn’t really changed any way, shape or form. I keep going back to being understanding of his situation but for me I don’t want to lose a player of that quality.
“That hasn’t really changed without the whole episode of the transfer window so hopefully he’s here in the next 10-12 days, whatever it is [until the deadline]. Certainly, as the head coach that’s what I would like.”
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However, Wissa was not named on the team sheet when it was announced 75 minutes before kick-off. Asked about the player’s omission, Andrews said: “It’s not right to involve him in the squad. The team is the focus and I felt that was the right thing to do.”
Yoane Wissa hopeful of joining Newcastle United ‘in the coming days’
Newcastle remain at the table for Wissa but, as it stands, are unwilling to meet Brentford’s price tag, which is understood to be in excess of £50m.
But because Wissa is desperate to move to St James’ Park, he is hopeful of a compromise that will allow him to complete a transfer next week.
Newcastle United searching for Callum Wilson - not Alexander Isak - replacement
Newcastle have identified Wissa - who scored 20 goals in all competitions last season - as a replacement for Callum Wilson after he left to join West Ham United on a free transfer.
Alexander Isak wants to leave and join Liverpool but Newcastle boss Eddie Howe has been consistent in his message that any striker signed between now and the end of the window will fill the gap left by Wilson.
In order to consider Isak’s exit, the Magpies would have to sign two strikers, a scenario that appears increasingly unlikely.
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