Newcastle have had an improved offer worth £40million for Yoane Wissa rejected, talkSPORT understands.
The Magpies’ bid included a £35m fee plus £5m in potential add-ons, but Brentford’s valuation remains in excess of £50m.
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Wissa is eager to depart from the Bees, seeing this as potentially his last opportunity to participate in Champions League football, having previously turned down offers from Saudi Arabia.
The 28-year-old has been training alone and recently unfollowed Brentford on social media as the club continued to block a move to St James’ Park.
Newcastle had their initial bid for Wissa declined earlier this summer, following unsuccessful efforts to acquire Joao Pedro and Benjamin Sesko, who ended up joining Chelsea and Manchester United, respectively.
The Congolese international was initially informed he could exit for just £26m, but the club reversed that decision after Bryan Mbeumo moved to Manchester United.
Brentford recently secured Dango Ouattara from Bournemouth in a club-record £42m transaction – but insiders suggest he’s seen as the replacement for Mbeumo.
It means another striker would need to be signed before the Bees consider a bid for Wissa.
Meanwhile, Newcastle are thought to see Wissa as a replacement for Callum Wilson, who left the club on a free transfer at the end of last season.
Thus, any agreement with Brentford is unlikely to influence the future of Alexander Isak, who delivered a striking statement against Newcastle on Tuesday night.
The latest on Isak’s future
Like Wissa, Isak wants to leave and believes his employers have broken promises over his future.
The Swede didn’t turn up to the PFA Awards on August 19 despite being included in the team of the season.
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Posting on Instagram shortly after, he wrote: “I’m not at the ceremony tonight. With everything going on, it didn’t feel right to be there.
“I’ve remained silent for a long time while others have spoken. That silence has allowed others to promote their own version of events, despite knowing it doesn’t truly represent what was actually discussed and agreed upon behind closed doors.”
“The reality is that promises were made and the club has known my position for a long time. To now act as if these issues are only emerging is misleading.
“When promises are broken and trust is lost, the relationship can’t continue. That’s where things are for me right now – and why change is in the best interests of everyone, not just myself.”
Wissa is yet to make any kind of statement on his future, but he has unfollowed Brentford on social media and deleted posts that included them.
The 33-time DR Congo international initially joined the Bees from Lorient in 2021 for £8.5m, but they now face losing him for free next summer upon the expiration of his contract.
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