Yoane Wissa to Sit Out Brentford’s Season Opener Amid Transfer Talks
So here’s the latest from Brentford as they gear up for their Premier League opener at Nottingham Forest this Sunday. Manager Keith Andrews has confirmed that Yoane Wissa, the club’s star forward, will not be involved in the match. It’s been a tricky summer for Brentford, and Wissa’s situation has been at the heart of it.
Wissa, who scored an impressive 19 goals last season helping Brentford secure a 10th-place finish, has been heavily linked with a move away from the Bees. Newcastle United recently made an offer reported to be around £25 million plus £5 million in add-ons, but Brentford turned it down. The club values Wissa higher and are holding out for roughly £40 million. On his side, Wissa is eager to join a team that offers Champions League football, and it’s clear he wants a new challenge.
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The striker had left the team’s pre-season camp in Portugal back in July after Newcastle’s bid emerged. At one point, Wissa even suggested he might not play for Brentford again if a transfer wasn’t approved. He eventually returned to first-team training earlier this month, following talks with Andrews, but the manager has decided he is not ready to play. Andrews explained that while he values Wissa as a part of the squad and maintains a strong relationship with him, the team must focus on players who are fully prepared for Sunday’s match.
This summer has been a period of significant transition for Brentford. Keith Andrews has taken over following Thomas Frank’s departure to Tottenham. Several key players have also left the club: Bryan Mbeumo has joined Manchester United, Christian Nørgaard moved to Arsenal, and goalkeeper Mark Flekken signed for Bayer Leverkusen. On the recruitment side, Brentford have brought in England midfielder Jordan Henderson, Irish keeper Caoimhin Kelleher, and Dutch attacking midfielder Antoni Milambo. Still, Andrews admitted that the only real disruption to pre-season preparations has been the Wissa saga.
For fans, the focus now shifts to who will step up in Wissa’s absence. Brentford are keen on signing Dango Ouattara but must wait until Bournemouth have secured a replacement. As for the opener, Andrews is clear: Wissa won’t be involved, and the squad will need to perform without their prolific striker. While it’s not an ideal situation, the manager emphasized that the relationship with Wissa remains positive and that the club continues to respect his ambitions.
So Sunday’s match will be a first real test for Andrews in charge, with Brentford having to navigate a strong Nottingham Forest side without one of their most important players. The situation remains dynamic, though, as Newcastle are still keen on bringing Wissa in before the transfer window closes.
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