Newcastle handed transfer boost for top target as rival club makes major U-turn

Newcastle United have been handed a huge boost in their pursuit of Yoane Wissa, talkSPORT understands.

Brentford had been adamant that Wissa wouldn’t be sold after Bryan Mbeumo left to join Manchester United for £71 million.

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However, it is believed that has now changed, with the Bees softening their not-for-sale stance for the forward if they find a replacement.

Newcastle first came in for Wissa in July after missing out on several targets, including Mbeumo and Joao Pedro.

They’ve had two offers for the striker rejected, including one that was an initial £30million with an extra £5m in add-ons.

After that offer was turned down, Brentford’s Director of Football Phil Giles, informed Newcastle that the 28-year-old wasn’t for sale unless they received an offer of over £50m.

This despite the fact Wissa has less than a year left on his deal, though, they do have an option to trigger an extension

Wissa currently isn’t training with the first team and played no part in the club’s pre-season win against QPR on Saturday.

Both the Bees and Wissa are now working towards an August exit with the forward prioritising a move to a Champions League club.

The DR Congo international has also been the subject of interest from Tottenham Hotspur and Nottingham Forest.

But it’s understood that Eddie Howe‘s side are prepared to make a new offer to bring him to Tyneside.

The player also believes that a gentleman’s agreement has been broken.

He agreed a verbal pact with Brentford to leave if they receive an offer of £26m.

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He had several options but agreed to stay at the club to help mitigate for the loss of Ivan Toney to Saudi Arabia.

Wissa wants to play Champions League football and has rejected advances from Saudi clubs.

And the club’s stance on the forward has clearly softened, which would be a boost to the Toon, who are ideally looking for two strikers.

What next for Newcastle in the transfer window?

Newcastle are still at the table for Wissa, and the player’s desire to join the club is a positive.

It just all hinges on Brentford finding a replacement.

Elsewhere, Alexander Isak is expected back in training next week after not being part of the club’s pre-season tour due to a thigh problem.

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Instead, he trained in Spain on his own and has informed the Toon of his desire to leave the club.

Liverpool have seen a £110m bid rejected for Isak, and as of now, they don’t intend to bid again.

In their hunt to replace Isak, the Magpies have seen a £65m with an additional £4.3m in add-ons bid rejected for Benjamin Sesko.

This is the fee that RB Leipzig are said to be looking for, but it has been turned down, with them now looking for a total package worth more than £70m with a sell-on clause.

The Toon are also waiting to see if Manchester United come in for Sesko.

Both clubs have presented their project to the player, with them now waiting to see who he decides to join.

Despite reports suggesting Sesko has already decided to sign for either club, talkSPORT understands that the striker still hasn’t made up his mind.

If he were to go to Old Trafford, it would be another blow for the Toon in a transfer window that has proven to be exceedingly difficult for the Tynesiders.