Newcastle United continue to be linked with a transfer for Brentford forward Yoane Wissa and Bees boss Keith Andrews has given his thoughts on the situation
Yoane Wissa
Newcastle United continue to be linked with a move for Brentford forward Yoane Wissa
Brentford boss Keith Andrews says Yoane Wissa will not be involved for his side's trip to Sunderland this weekend amid ongoing uncertainty about his future.
Newcastle United have had a number of bids rejected for the Bees forward, who is reportedly keen on a move to St. James' Park. The Magpies have reportedly been told a bid in the region of £60 million would bring Brentford to the negotiating table, way above their valuation of the player.
The Toon are understood to view the DR Congo forward, who scored 19 goals and notched four assists in 35 Premier League appearances, as a replacement for Callum Wilson rather than Alexander Isak, who is hoping to force through a move to Liverpool.
Similarly to Isak and Newcastle, Wissa has not featured for the Bees so far this season with it clear he wishes to move to St. James' Park. In conrast to the Swedish striker, Wissa is training with Andrews' side.
Last week, the new Bees boss revealed he expected Wissa to remain at the Gtech Community Stadium beyond the summer transfer deadline and gave a further update today.
"Copy and paste from the other day," Andrews said when asked about Wissa's future at the London club. "The exact same answer, nothing has changed in terms of my stance. In terms of movement behind the scenes, I don't see any movement on that so it's the same as it was."
When asked if the Magpies transfer target would play a part this weekend for the clash at the Stadium of Light, Andrews added: "No, again, similar to the other day [I'll] focus on the group that is settled and not got issues that are ongoing. Which clearly Yoane has, so the squad will be pretty much the same as the other night."
Andrews was pressed further on whether or not he was still in constant dialogue with the wantaway player, with the Bees boss responding: "It's constant, pretty much daily. I keep saying about the level of respect that I have for Yoane.
"The relationship that I've had with him, that's been difficult for obvious reasons I don't think it's revolutionary in terms of saying that but what we say will remain between us."
Andrews also believes that Wissa will remain with Brentford, doubling down on previous comments.
"I still feel that," Andrews said. "The football club in general want to hold onto Yoane. I think, again, going back to the type of player and person he is, I certainly don't want to lose Yoane so it's the same as it was.
"It's pretty much as it was, the situation hasn't changed so I can't give you a different answer."
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