Newcastle complete deadline day signing of long-term target Yoane Wissa

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe has finally landed long-term target Yoane Wissa after losing Alexander Isak to Liverpool on a dramatic final day of the summer transfer window.

Brentford’s 28-year-old DR Congo international, who was born in France, has joined the Magpies for an undisclosed fee, which is understood could eventually amount to £55million, on a long-term contract, subject to Premier League approval, and will wear the club’s famous number nine shirt.

Wissa’s efforts to force his way out of Brentford have not differed too starkly from the tactics employed by Alexander Isak in engineering his move.

That may sit uncomfortably with some fans on Tyneside but his addition to an attacking pool already boosted by the signing of Germany international Nick Woltemade, who arrived at the weekend, will ease some of the pain for head coach Eddie Howe.

Wissa said: “I’m really happy to be here and to sign for one of the biggest clubs in the Premier League.

“I’m very, very excited to put on the black and white shirt. I’ve got dreams, I’ve got faith, and now I will do my best to make it all happen. I can’t wait to get started.”

Having risen to prominence with Lorient in his native France, the former goalkeeper joined the Bees during the summer of 2021 and proved a key player under Thomas Frank, scoring 19 Premier League goals last season, just four fewer than Isak.

Howe, who will also have youngster Will Osula at his disposal after a proposed move to Eintracht Frankfurt was shelved, said: “Yoane is a player who we have admired for some time and we’re delighted to have him on board.

“He brings proven Premier League quality, demonstrated not only by his goalscoring output, but also the crucial work he does for the team.

“Yoane’s style of play will excite our supporters and complement our style of play – he has pace, power and an excellent work rate. He immediately makes us stronger.”

Isak’s deadline day exit, which netted the Magpies £130million, finally ended a saga which has dragged on all summer, and one which has left a bitter taste.

Signed from £63million – eyebrows were raised at the fee – from Real Sociedad during the summer of 2022, the 25-year-old has developed into one of the best strikers in Europe, if not the world, under the tutelage of Howe and his coaching staff.

Howe understandably did not want to lose a man about which he had built his team, and one who played a significant role last season as the club ended its 70-year wait for a domestic trophy and qualified for the Champions League for the second time in three years.

The club’s hierarchy insisted he was not for sale – he had three years remaining on his contract – and put a £150million price-tag on his head, one they believed would ward off suitors.

However, Isak’s conduct this summer – he missed the pre-season tour to Singapore and South Korea and effectively went on strike when the rest of the squad returned insisting he had been made promises which were then broken – left them with a decision to make.

Had they kept him, as appeared to be their intention until the final few hours of the transfer window, they could have found themselves with their best player having been transformed into a corrosive force behind the scenes rather than being reintegrated into the squad as Howe had hoped.

Ultimately, they reluctantly decided to double their money with a sale which not only helped to fund their swoops for Woltemade and Wissa, but left them in a significantly healthier position in terms of profitability and sustainability rules.

Newcastle are undoubtedly weakened by Isak’s loss – his decision to down tools has arguably cost them points in each of the three Premier League games they have played to date this season.

However, his departure draws a line under an unsavoury episode in the club’s recent history and provides them with an opportunity to make a fresh start.