Ornstein: Newcastle shift focus to Brentford as forward search continues | OneFootball

Newcastle Explore Yoane Wissa Move After Ekitike Setback

Ekitike Stalls as Newcastle Rethink Forward Strategy

Newcastle United’s hunt for a new striker has taken a fresh direction. After stepping away from a move for Hugo Ekitike, who was previously top of their list, the club are now exploring a deal for Brentford’s Yoane Wissa. As reported by David Ornstein in The Athletic, Newcastle are expected to make contact with Brentford soon, although no formal approach has yet been made.

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Newcastle had an €80 million bid for Ekitike rejected by Eintracht Frankfurt and are “not actively working on the situation at present”. With Liverpool now circling the 23-year-old, attention in the North East has shifted.

Photo IMAGO

Wissa Among Alternatives Considered

At 28, Wissa represents a more experienced profile and is coming off an impressive season, scoring 19 non-penalty goals in 35 Premier League matches. It was the highest total of its kind across the division last term, showcasing Wissa’s efficiency in front of goal.

Photo: IMAGO

His contract with Brentford runs until 2026, with an option to extend for another year. Nottingham Forest have already tested Brentford’s resolve, but their bid was turned down. Newcastle, aware of the financial pressures within their own recruitment structure, may need to proceed with care depending on the outcome of Manchester United’s pursuit of Bryan Mbeumo.

Brentford’s Summer Shake-up Influencing Sales

Wissa’s future is intertwined with major changes at Brentford. Head coach Thomas Frank has departed for Tottenham, along with several members of his coaching staff. Captain Christian Norgaard has joined Arsenal and set-piece coach Keith Andrews has been promoted to head coach. Any deal for Wissa must be framed within this wider reshaping of the club’s identity and resources.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

There was hope that this summer might bring real attacking intent, the sort that would allow Newcastle to finally break free from patchwork back-up forward options. Yet here they are, switching focus from Ekitike to Wissa, a player who, while productive, does not spark excitement in the same way.

Fans will be asking: where is the ambition? Ekitike was young, hungry, and clearly rated across Europe. Instead, the club has pulled out after one rejected bid and now pivot to a 28-year-old who has only just had his breakout year?

Wissa may well prove to be a clever signing, but this feels like compromise rather than conviction. Newcastle want to challenge for the top four again, yet they appear to be shopping reactively, not decisively.

There is a lingering feeling that Newcastle are searching for a plan without truly having one.