Yoane Wissa has urged Brentford to honour what he claims was a promise to let him leave this summer, accusing the club of “unduly standing in his way” of a transfer to Newcastle.
With just two days left in the transfer window, the DR Congo international is frustrated that Brentford have rejected two bids from Newcastle – the latest worth £35m plus £5m in add-ons.
Sources suggest the Bees initially valued Wissa at £40m, but their asking price has since risen to around £60m.
Wissa, who has scored 49 goals in 149 games since joining in 2021, has not featured for the first team this season and has been training separately from Keith Andrews’ squad.
In a statement released on social media, the 27-year-old made his stance clear.
“I have stayed silent for much of the summer, but with just hours remaining of the transfer window I feel compelled to make it clear that I want to leave Brentford. I believe the club are unduly standing in my way despite a series of fair offers throughout the summer.
“As the window comes to an end, the club has now significantly changed its position, going against what was communicated.
“This has left me in a difficult and frustrating position. The promise that I could leave this summer has not been fulfilled. It saddens me to have to write that, and I maintain total respect for the club and its fans.”
Wissa went on to stress that staying against his wishes would sour what has otherwise been a successful spell in west London.
“Being made to stay beyond this summer will only tarnish four wonderful years at this incredible club and so I ask Brentford’s owners and directors to now honour their promise to let me leave in the final hours of the window.”
Wissa cut short Brentford’s pre-season camp in Portugal after making clear his desire to join Newcastle. While he briefly returned to first-team training, he has since been working away from the main squad.
The forward – who netted 19 Premier League goals last season – has also removed all Brentford-related content from his social media.
In his statement, he added that he had “open discussions” with senior management earlier in the summer, during which he claims he was told “the club would not stand in my way if a reasonable offer was received. This was also put in writing”.
He continued:”I want to make it clear that I have not acted unprofessionally, nor do I wish to leave Brentford on bad terms.
“I have been transparent in my position throughout. I have continued to communicate openly with the club and conduct myself in a way that reflects my values as both a footballer and a human being.
“I remain hopeful that a fair and reasonable resolution can still be found before the transfer window shuts. In the meantime, I must do what I feel is right for my career and family and insist that Brentford honour their promise to let me join a new club and at a fair price.”
