Newcastle United’s summer transfer window has been a slow burn, but the embers are finally catching. With Brentford agreeing a £42.5 million deal for Dango Ouattara from Bournemouth, the path is now clear for Yoane Wissa to make his long-anticipated move to St James’ Park. The Congolese forward has been pushing for the transfer for weeks, even walking out of Brentford’s pre-season camp in Portugal to force the issue, although he has since returned to training.
Sources close to the deal suggest Newcastle are confident of concluding the transfer over the weekend, with Wissa’s representatives already in the North East to finalise terms. The timing couldn’t be more critical. With Callum Wilson released and Alexander Isak training away from the squad amid Liverpool’s aggressive pursuit, Eddie Howe is left without a recognised striker.
Wissa’s arrival would not only plug a glaring hole in the squad but also offer tactical flexibility in a side that has been crying out for a direct, goal-hungry presence in pre-season.
The Numbers Behind the Name
Yoane Wissa may not be a marquee signing, but his output last season was anything but ordinary. In 35 Premier League appearances, Wissa netted 19 goals and provided 4 assists. Crucially, none of those goals came from the penalty spot, a testament to his ability to score in open play. His non-penalty expected goals (npxG) stood at 17.26, placing him in the 98th percentile among Premier League forwards.
His goals-per-90 rate of 0.59 and goal involvement per 90 of 0.68 are elite metrics, especially for a player operating in a Brentford side that often played on the counter. Wissa’s shot conversion rate of 26.47% and shooting accuracy of 61.76% further underscore his efficiency in front of goal.
Beyond the raw numbers, Wissa’s link-up play has shown steady improvement. While not a playmaker by trade, his ability to combine with wide players and midfield runners adds a layer of unpredictability to Newcastle’s attack.
Direct, Decisive, and Relentless
Wissa is a forward who thrives on chaos. His game is built around verticality, quick transitions, sharp movements, and an instinctive eye for goal. He’s most effective when playing off the shoulder of the last defender, exploiting spaces with intelligent runs and a low centre of gravity that makes him difficult to dispossess.
Though he’s often deployed as a centre-forward, Wissa has spent time in wide roles and even as a second striker. His versatility will be a boon for Howe, especially in a squad that may need to adapt quickly depending on Isak’s future.
Defensively, Wissa is no passenger. He presses with intent and has the stamina to track back, a trait that aligns well with Howe’s high-energy ethos. His dribble success rate of 40% and average of 1.27 dribbles per 90 minutes suggest a player who can beat his man, albeit not with the flair of a Lionel Messi, but with purpose and directness.
Comparison to Isak
Let’s be clear, Wissa is not Alexander Isak. He doesn’t possess the Swede’s elegance, nor his ability to strike fear just by his presence. But what Wissa offers is a cutting edge, an unrelenting drive to score, a nose for goal, and the kind of hunger that Newcastle desperately need in the final third.
Wissa overperforms his non-penalty xG, scoring 0.59 goals-per-90 from a non-penalty xG of 0.57 per-90. Contrast this with Isak who scores 0.62 non-penalty goals per-90 from a non-penalty xG of 0.66 per-90. Not a massive difference but it does show that based on last seasons numbers, he’s the more clinical striker in open play.
Where Wissa struggles in comparison to Isak is in the build up play, as the below graph shows. Wissa links well for a forward but not close to Isak’s level.
Comparison of Isak and Wissa key attacking stats for the 24/25 Premier League Season
Not a Star, But a Solution
In a summer where glamour signings have eluded the Magpies, Wissa represents a pragmatic pivot. He’s a player who can deliver goals, stretch defences, and bring urgency to an attack that has looked toothless in pre-season.
For Newcastle fans, the name may not stir the soul, but the impact could be profound. If the deal is finalised in time, Wissa could make his debut against Liverpool, a baptism of fire, but also a chance to announce himself on Tyneside with the kind of performance that turns scepticism into belief.
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