Latest Newcastle United transfer news as Brentford’s Yoane Wissa has been the subject of an approach from Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr
11:33, 07 Aug 2025Updated 11:38, 07 Aug 2025
Yoane Wissa is a transfer target for Newcastle(Image: Getty Images Europe)
Newcastle United have been handed a fresh blow in their pursuit of Brentford forward Yoane Wissa.
Eddie Howe’s side are in the market for at least one new centre forward but have struggled to get one over the line thus far. The Magpies targeted Hugo Ekitike before Liverpool hijacked the move and signed him and the same appears to have happened with Benjamin Sesko, who looks to have picked Manchester United instead.
Wissa, 28, has been a long-term target for Newcastle after impressing in the Premier League in recent years. The DR Congo international scored a career-high 20 goals in 39 matches for Brentford last season.
It’s thought that Wissa is keen to leave the Bees and last month he flew back from the club’s pre-season camp in Portugal for crunch talks with director of football Phil Giles. Since then, Brentford have returned to UK, continued pre-season training at their west London base and beaten Queens Park Rangers at Loftus Road.
However, Wissa has played no part in Brentford’s pre-season fixtures as he tries to secure himself a move this summer. Newcastle remain keen on the former Angers and Lorient front man.
But the Magpies could now be beaten to Wissa’s signature after L’Equipe reported that Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr have entered the race and are prepared to meet Brentford’s demand for the forward.
It’s claimed that Brentford’s valuation is deemed too high for Newcastle, Tottenham and SC Neom, but Al-Nassr are instead ready to explore a potential move and get a deal done before the end of the summer.
Saudi officials are in turn discussing ways to convince Brentford, Wissa and his entourage to join Cristiano Ronaldo and his teammates in his nation’s capital, Riyadh.
Losing out on Wissa would be another hammer blow for Newcastle and Eddie Howe ahead of the new Premier League season. The Magpies are short up front, even if Alexander Isak becomes available again, after losing Callum Wilson to West Ham and bringing in at least one striker feels imperative.
Isak, meanwhile, is set to train alone as Newcastle return to work after their trip to the Far East. Chronicle Live reported on Wednesday that it is now crunch time between Isak, Eddie Howe and the club and it appears that a line has been drawn in the sand.
The Sweden international, who has been subject to increased transfer interest from Liverpool, was told to report for training on his own and then get treatment on the thigh injury that sparked his absence from the club’s trip to South Korea and Singapore.
Isak has expressed his desire to leave Newcastle and make the switch west to Liverpool this summer, but Eddie Howe is desperate to keep his talisman at St James’ Park.
Here at ChronicleLive, we are dedicated to bringing you the best Newcastle United coverage and analysis.
Make sure you don’t miss out on the latest NUFC news by joining our free WhatsApp group.
You can get all the breaking news and best analysis sent straight to your phone by clicking here to subscribe.
You can also subscribe to our free newsletter service. Click here to be sent all the day’s biggest stories.
And, finally, if you would rather listen to our expert analysis then make sure to check out our Everything is Black and White podcast.
Our shows are available on all podcast platforms including Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and you can also watch along on YouTube.