Newcastle United face a predicament in their striker department, but club chiefs are now confident one of their targets will join before the transfer deadline.
While on the Asia leg of their preseason tour, Eddie Howe held a press conference where he addressed poor player attitudes, stating: “You have to earn the right to train with us.”
Alexander Isak has not earned this right in the manager’s eyes, and has been “ordered to train separately from his teammates and stay away from a lunchtime training-ground barbecue”.
The departures of Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz, as well as the tragic passing of Diogo Jota, have led to an opening in Liverpool’s forward line that Arne Slot wants Isak to fill, and based on his behaviour, it’s clear that the Sweden international shares this desire.
With Isak causing issues in the dressing room, Howe has set his sights on a new Premier League-proven striker who wants to join the club.
Newcastle “confident” they can sign Wissa
GiveMeSport have reported that Newcastle are eyeing a double swoop of Yoane Wissa and Ollie Watkins following the club’s failure to sign Benjamin Sesko. Of the two players, Wissa looks the most likely to join, as “there is confidence a deal can be done for around £40m before the September 1st deadline”.
The report indicates Wissa’s desire to play Champions League football and believes that will help them secure the move. Last week’s report from The I that Wissa had been “refusing to train in an attempt to push through a move” will also have boosted Howe’s confidence in getting the deal done.
Wissa would be the latest star to leave Brentford this summer, alongside club captain Christian Nørgaard and fellow forward Bryan Mbeumo. However, the club’s biggest loss this summer is undoubtedly Thomas Frank, who had managed the club since 2018.
Frank gambled on bringing in Wissa from Lorient in 2021, and in 2023, he poured praise on his development as a finisher: “Wissa, we knew, has always been a goalscorer. He scored seven goals in the first season and seven in the second in the Premier League, for a player that didn’t play much. It’s remarkable. I definitely think he is best as a 9. He’s got that nose for goals.”
Wissa is an underrated Premier League star
Although he might not have been the first name on Newcastle’s shopping list, he could still end up as one of the best signings this summer if they can get it across the line. Where Frank clearly saw Wissa’s value and potential, the Congo star has not always received the praise he deserves, sometimes falling under the shadow of players like Mbeumo and Ivan Toney.
Wissa’s record against the Premier League’s “Big Six” proves that he can perform in the toughest fixtures.
Wissa at Brentford
Games
Goals
Assists
Arsenal
8
2
0
Chelsea
8
2
0
Liverpool
8
2
0
Manchester City
7
2
0
Manchester United
8
1
1
Tottenham
6
2
1
This impressive record is likely why he is such a high-value target for Howe. This will be Newcastle’s first season in the restructured Champions League, meaning they will face more big sides than ever before, so Wissa’s proven track record in the big games will potentially help them reach the later rounds.
