Newcastle United have officially signed Alexander Isak’s replacement, unveiling Yoane Wissa as their new centre forward.
The Magpies have reluctantly agreed to sell Isak for a British record £125 million ($168.7 million), but have long been adamant they would only authorise his exit once they had signed two strikers this summer—with Callum Wilson’s departure on a free transfer occurring earlier in the window.
Newcastle lost out to Manchester United in pursuit of Benjamin Šeško but eventually made Nick Woltemade their big-name addition, snapping up the Germany international in a deal worth £69.3 million, but the plan was always to sign a second striker and Wissa has been the preferred signing all summer.
With Wissa’s deadline day move finally official, the Magpies have completed their much-needed acquisition of two strikers. The former Brentford forward will wear the No. 9 on the back of his shirt, something he admitted was a real privilege in his first words as a Newcastle player.
Newcastle are expected to pay £55 million for Wissa, splitting the fee across two payments, while also giving Brentford a 25% sell-on clause.
The addition of Wissa, who struck 19 Premier League goals last season, will give Newcastle the firepower needed in the wake of Isak’s exit to Liverpool.
Newcastle began their pursuit of Wissa as far back as July, when an opening bid of £25 million was rejected. The Magpies later went up to £35 million, offering a further £5 million in complicated add-ons, but Brentford continued to demand a higher fee.
Wissa was left frustrated by Brentford’s refusal to sanction a sale at what he felt was a fair price, but the Bees’ determination to extract full value from the 28-year-old has now been rewarded.
