Newcastle fail in Yoane Wissa chase as Swedish-Eritrean striker Alexander Isak looks set to stay

Newcastle United’s pursuit of Brentford forward Yoane Wissa has stalled, with BBC Sport reporting that the club “can’t get the deal over the line” as the transfer window approaches its final week.

The collapse of negotiations is also casting doubt over Alexander Isak’s potential move away from Tyneside.

Isak, who was born in Sweden to Eritrean parents, has been the subject of intense speculation this summer. But Newcastle are reluctant to sanction his departure without securing a suitable replacement, and Wissa had been earmarked as the primary target.

The Magpies have already seen two bids for Wissa rejected, the latest reportedly rising to £40 million. Despite Wissa’s own efforts to force a move – which included deleting Brentford references from his social media – a breakthrough has not been achieved.

Senior football correspondent Sami Mokbel described the drawn-out saga, noting that Newcastle believed a deal would be possible once Brentford secured the signing of Dango Ouattara. While Ouattara has since joined, Wissa remains tied to the Bees with no agreement in sight.

The impasse is the latest in a string of setbacks for Newcastle, who have missed out on several attacking targets this summer, including Hugo Ekitike, Benjamin Sesko, Joao Pedro, Liam Delap, James Trafford, Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo.

That pattern of failed pursuits has left Eddie Howe’s side short of options and under growing pressure to deliver reinforcements.

For now, the Wissa stalemate means Isak is likely to remain at St James’ Park. Despite a rejected £110 million offer earlier this month, no further bids have materialised, leaving Newcastle confident of retaining their star striker unless a late twist forces their hand.