David Ornstein: Nottingham Forest Have Bid Rejected for Premier League Striker | OneFootball

Nottingham Forest’s Yoane Wissa Pursuit Hits a Wall: What Next?

Nottingham Forest’s chase for Brentford striker Yoane Wissa has taken another knock. According to David Ornstein of The Athletic, Forest’s fresh bid, lodged this summer, has been rejected by Brentford. The club had been willing to offer up to £25 million back in January, but this latest proposal fell short of that figure and, unsurprisingly, was swiftly turned down.

Wissa, a 28-year-old Congo international, had a standout season, netting 19 Premier League goals. That tally has significantly increased his valuation, with Brentford now setting his price at over £50 million.

Brentford’s Valuation Reflects Importance

It is not hard to see why Brentford are holding firm. Wissa is central to their attack, particularly as uncertainty swirls around Bryan Mbeumo, who has reportedly expressed his desire to join Manchester United. Any departure would leave Brentford short of firepower, especially following the exit of manager Thomas Frank to Tottenham Hotspur and captain Christian Norgaard to Arsenal.

As Ornstein writes, “Brentford value Wissa — who scored 19 Premier League goals last season — at more than £50m, underlining his importance to them.” That importance has only heightened amid the club’s summer upheaval, with Keith Andrews now tasked with stabilising a team facing significant transition.

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Forest’s Summer Activity Intensifies

Nottingham Forest’s own summer reshuffle is also in motion. Anthony Elanga is set for a move to Newcastle United, while Tottenham have made Morgan Gibbs-White a top target. Forest’s interest in Wissa is not new, but with Brentford unwilling to budge on their valuation, Forest must decide whether to up their offer or pivot to alternative targets.

The fact that Wissa’s current contract has just a year left, albeit with an option for an additional 12 months, adds complexity. Brentford may feel confident about retaining him, knowing they can activate that extension if needed. For Forest, it raises the question: do they gamble on pushing harder now or wait until the player’s situation shifts next year?

Summer of Change at Brentford

Brentford’s summer has been one of the most turbulent in the Premier League. The departure of Thomas Frank, long credited with shaping Brentford’s identity and style, alongside three of his backroom staff, signals the end of an era. As Ornstein points out, “Thomas Frank, who brought Wissa to England and helped to mould him into a top-level forward, has since moved from Brentford to Tottenham Hotspur.”

For incoming manager Keith Andrews, holding on to players like Wissa and managing the Mbeumo situation will be vital. Brentford fans will hope the club’s strong recruitment structure can withstand these changes, but the risk of on-field disruption is real.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

As a Nottingham Forest supporter, reading this report feels like another gut punch. We have been crying out for a consistent goal scorer, someone who can genuinely lift the front line and offer a reliable threat. Seeing that we were ready to pay £25 million in January but now came back with an even lower offer feels baffling.

Yoane Wissa scored 19 goals last season, exactly the kind of profile we need. Yes, £50 million is steep, but in today’s market, that reflects the going rate for proven Premier League forwards. Forest fans are frustrated because this looks like the club playing it safe when ambition is needed. Meanwhile, we are about to lose Anthony Elanga to Newcastle, and there’s constant talk of Morgan Gibbs-White leaving for Spurs. Who is coming in? Where is the plan?

We cannot keep missing out on top targets and then wonder why we are fighting relegation battles every season. If the ownership wants to build a team that belongs in the Premier League, they need to make a statement. Missing out on Wissa, particularly after tracking him for months, feels like a lack of conviction.