Yoane Wissa has taken a major step in his quest to join Newcastle United, reportedly refusing to train with Brentford as transfer talks heat up.
The 29-year-old forward, eager to play Champions League football, feels let down after Brentford allegedly backtracked on a verbal agreement made last summer. He believed a £26m fee would see him allowed to leave, but the club now values him at £50m.
Newcastle recently had a £25m offer turned down, but they remain keen and are prepared to raise the bid to £30m with an additional £5m in performance-related bonuses.
Brentford, still reeling from the sale of Bryan Mbeumo to Manchester United, are reluctant to lose another key player and have insisted Wissa is not for sale. The DR Congo international has already left the club’s pre-season tour and has no plans to sign a new contract.
Wissa joined Brentford on 10 August 2021 for an undisclosed fee from French club Lorient.
Despite the standoff, discussions between both clubs continue behind closed doors, with Newcastle hopeful a deal can still be struck before the window closes.
