Yoane Wissa finally completed a £55million move to Newcastle on deadline day and Brentford confirmed the transfer with a very cold and matter-of-fact statement
Brentford released a matter-of-fact statement after selling Yoane Wissa to Newcastle, with the forward completing a £55million move on deadline day. Wissa had been pushing for the transfer all summer and issued a lengthy statement on social media criticising Brentford.
"I was under the impression, from all my conversations with Brentford, that there was a mutual agreement to part ways," Wissa said. "Yet 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 also pleaded with the club to "honour their promise to let me join a new club and at a fair price" and claimed that "being made to stay beyond this summer will only tarnish four wonderful years at this incredible club".
Wissa ultimately got his wish on deadline day, while Brentford signed winger Reiss Nelson on a season-long loan from Arsenal as his replacement. And Brentford confirmed Wissa's departure in a very cold and matter-of-fact statement.
"Yoane Wissa has joined Newcastle United for an undisclosed fee," the club said. "The forward signed from French club Lorient in August 2021 and scored 49 goals in 149 appearances for Brentford.
"In his first season, Wissa scored 10 goals in all competitions and then added another seven in 2022/23. Wissa missed part of the 2023/24 campaign at the Africa Cup of Nations with DR Congo, where his nation were beaten by South Africa on penalties in the third-place play-off, but hit his best patch of form in a Brentford shirt on his return.
"Wissa ended that season with a run of eight goals and two assists in 15 games helping him to become the Bees' top scorer. During the 2024/25 campaign Wissa became the club's record Premier League goalscorer (45), surpassing Ivan Toney's previous record of 36. He ended the season with 19 top-flight goals."
Wissa will wear the iconic number nine shirt for Newcastle and said after the move was confirmed: "I'm really happy to be here and to sign for one of the biggest clubs in the Premier League.
"I'm very, very excited to put on the black and white shirt. I've got dreams, I've got faith and now I will do my best to make it all happen. I can't wait to get started."