Newcastle United have agreed a deal worth up to £55 million to sign Brentford forward Yoane Wissa.
The transfer is structured as an initial £50m fee plus £5m in add-ons, with personal terms already settled in principle, Wissa has arrived in the North East and is scheduled to undergo a medical on Monday afternoon before completing his move.
The Magpies had several bids rejected for Wissa earlier this summer, with the 27-year-old eventually taking to Instagram on Sunday night to issue a strongly worded statement criticising Brentford for blocking his exit and urging the club to honour their promise to let him leave.
Newcastle’s pursuit of Wissa comes as they prepare to lose Alexander Isak, who is set to join Liverpool in a British record transfer.
The club have been insistent that Isak would only be sold if adequate replacements were secured, having already brought in Nick Woltemade in a club-record deal earlier in the window.
Brentford were open to negotiations for Wissa but stood firm on their valuation, they are now under pressure to find a replacement, having failed in a move for Borussia Dortmund striker Max Beier. The Bees are continuing to work on reinforcements before the transfer deadline.
In his statement, Wissa underlined his frustration, writing: “With just hours remaining of the transfer window I feel compelled to make it clear that I want to leave Brentford.
I believe the club are unduly standing in my way despite a series of fair offers throughout the summer… Being made to stay beyond this summer will only tarnish four wonderful years at this incredible club.”
Brentford have declined to comment publicly on Wissa’s remarks.