NEWCASTLE are set to launch an improved £35m move for Yoane Wissa and hope to unleash him against Liverpool.
Eddie Howe’s side kicked off the campaign without a recognised forward available after on-strike Alexander Isak refused to play.
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And the Magpies’ need for a new striker was never more evident than after they failed to turn their dominance into three points at Villa Park.
Newcastle have missed out on Liam Delap, Joao Pedro, Hugo Ekitike and Benjamin Sesko in their so far unsuccessful hunt for a new frontman this summer.
They also had a £30m bid rejected by Brentford for DR Congo forward Wissa – but he remains their top target.
The 28-year-old has his heart set on joining the Magpies and missed the Bees’ 3-1 defeat at Nottingham Forest yesterday as he tries to secure a move to St. James’ Park.
And now Newcastle, who forked out £39m to Villa for midfielder Jacob Ramsey on Sunday, are ready to pounce after Brentford completed the club-record £42m signing of Dango Ouattara from Bournemouth.
Howe has been happy to wait for Wissa and knows his desire to sign for Toon.
Sun Sport understands that the Magpies will re-open negotiations with the Bees by tabling a bid worth £35m in total within the next 24 hours.
And confidence is growing within the North East club that they can get the transfer over the line and have the star, who scored 19 Premier League goals last term, in and ready to take on Liverpool next Monday.
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Brentford boss Keith Andrews claimed there had been no developments regarding Wissa following the loss at Forest but he wants the situation sorted ASAP.
He said: “It’s a day-by-day one in terms of Wiss.
“As far as I know nothing else has happened today, definitely didn’t yesterday, so it’s as it was really.
“I have no idea what the situation will be, I have been up here since yesterday so we will deal with that during the week.
“Hopefully it can resolve itself sooner rather than later.”
Brentford are continuing to hunt for a new centre-forward and SunSport understands they will not sanction a sale of DR Congo star Wissa until they do.
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And in bad news for the Toon, it is believed the Bees are not close to sourcing a new main man to play up top.
They were interested in Arnaud Kalimuendo but the 23-year-old looks set to join Forest instead.
Brentford were well beaten in the City Ground as Forest ran into a three-goal lead before half-time
Chris Wood netted a brace while new signing Dan Ndoye got off the mark on his debut.
The Bees were handed a consolation as Igor Thiago scored his first goal for the club despite signing from Club Brugge for £30m last summer.
The Brazilian striker slotted home after Ibrahim Sangare gave away a penalty for a handball.
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