Yoane Wissa demands Brentford exit in public statement | OneFootball

Yoane Wissa has accused Brentford of blocking his exit as the forward pushes for a move before the transfer deadline.

The 28-year-old took to social media on Sunday morning to express his frustration, claiming the club have ‘significantly changed’ their position despite earlier assurances he could leave for a fair offer.

Wissa said he had been promised, both verbally and in writing, that Brentford would not stand in his way if a suitable bid was received this summer.

Newcastle United have already seen two offers rejected, including a £35 million bid with an additional £5 million in add-ons recently.

Brentford had previously dismissed a £25 million approach from Newcastle in July, with sources at the club insisting they had never set a public asking price.

The striker, who joined Brentford from Lorient in 2021, has scored 49 goals in 149 games during his four years in west London.

He has not featured in any of Brentford’s opening three Premier League fixtures this season and was absent for much of pre-season, returning from the club’s Portugal training camp to hold talks with senior management.

In his statement, Wissa said he had ‘always given 100 per cent’ for the club but felt ‘unduly’ blocked from pursuing a new challenge.

He stressed he had conducted himself professionally throughout the process and that his desire to leave was not about disrespecting Brentford or their supporters.

‘It saddens me to have to write this,’ Wissa said, adding that remaining against his wishes would ‘tarnish four wonderful years’ at the club.

Brentford have yet to comment publicly so far but head coach Keith Andrews reaffirmed his wish to keep the forward.

‘Nothing has changed in terms of my stance,’ Andrews said last week. ‘The football club wants to hold on to Yoane. The player he is, the person he is, I certainly don’t want to lose him.’

Brentford’s reluctance comes in the wake of Bryan Mbeumo’s transfer to Manchester United earlier this summer, which left the squad short of attacking options.

The situation leaves both sides in a stand-off with less than 48 hours of the window remaining.

Wissa said he remained hopeful ‘a fair and reasonable resolution’ could still be found but urged the club’s directors and owners to ‘honour their word’ and let him leave.