Newcastle confirm £55million Yoane Wissa transfer after summer-long saga

EDDIE HOWE finally has his new No9 after Newcastle secured a £55million deadline day swoop for Yoane Wissa from Brentford.

The DR Congo international, 28, penned a four-year contract at St. James’ Park as he sealed his dream to play in the Champions League after his fall-out with the Bees.

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Wissa and fellow new boy Nick Woltemade, a £69m club-record buy from Stuttgart, will now be tasked with filling the void left by Alexander Isak as the Swede sealed his £130m Newcastle exit to Liverpool.

His arrival ends what has been a frustrating summer for Howe as the Magpies missed out on Liam Delap, Joao Pedro, Hugo Ekitike and Benjamin Sesko in their quest for a striker.

Wissa, who leaves the West London outfit with a record of 49 goals in 149 appearances, initially left the club’s pre-season camp in Portugal and then trained alone before deleting all references to the club on Instagram as he pushed to leave.

The star, who scored 19 Premier League goals last term, then released a statement on Sunday accusing the Bees of “unduly standing in his way” of a move to Tyneside in one final attempt to convince them to sell.

That led to Toon chiefs, who also considered a late attempt to try and get Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson, re-opening talks with their Brentford counterparts. 

Newcastle, who had two previous bids rejected, eventually came to terms on a package worth £50m up-front with a potential further £5m in add-ons.

The hotshot, who travelled from the capital to the North East by car, arrived on Tyneside before lunchtime to complete his medical before putting pen-to-paper.

He will take over the No9 shirt that has been vacant since Callum Wilson’s departure.

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He said after signing: “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.”

Relieved Magpies boss Howe added: “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.”

Both Wissa and the 6ft6 German giant Woltemade are heading off on international duty before returning to start training with their new team-mates ahead of their expected debuts at home to Wolves on Saturday 13 September.

Meanwhile, Wissa’s arrival almost resulted in striker William Osula joining Eintract Frankfurt, but the proposed £30m deal fell through.

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The 22-year-old forward, who has scored just TWO Premier League goals for Toon, arrived at St. James’ Park for an initial £10m from Sheffield United just over a year ago.

But despite struggling to make an impact on Tyneside, Newcastle looked set to TRIPLE their money on the Dane.

Osula, who Aston Villa were also keen on, received the green light to open talks with the Bundesliga side.

However, the deal was called off due to personal terms not being agreed.

He will remain on Tyneside and provide back-up for Yoane Wissa and £69m club-record buy Nick Woltemade.

Osula broke his duck for the Toon against Bromley in the FA Cup before finally getting off the mark in the Prem in the 3-0 win over Ipswich in April.

He then produced some sizzling form for his country at the U21 European Championship in June which caught the eye of several suitors.

Osula came off the bench to score against Liverpool last week but struggled on Saturday in the stalemate at Leeds after being handed his first Prem start for the club.

Meanwhile, 18-year-old wing whizkid Trevan Sanusi has joined Ligue 1 side Lorient  on a season-long loan.

Isak to Liverpool transfer saga timeline

• JANUARY: First links to Liverpool emerge

• FEBRUARY: £150million record fee mooted

• MARCH: Isak denies Newcastle contract talk

• APRIL: Eddie Howe hails Isak as “very professional.”

• MAY: Howe insists Isak will not be sold
• Last match in Newcastle shirt

• JUNE: Transfer links to Liverpool heat up

• JULY: Flies with Newcastle for Austria training camp
• Left out of Celtic friendly
• Liverpool hijack Toon’s Hugo Ekitike deal after making Isak enquiry
• Doesn’t travel for pre-season tour of Singapore and South Korea, citing injury

• AUGUST: Training by himself at Newcastle
• Liverpool have £110m bid rejected
• Isak stops training and goes on strike
• Moves out of his apartment
• Releases angry statement blasting ‘trust has been lost’
• Newcastle respond by insisting he won’t be sold unless it benefits club
• Misses Newcastle’s first three games of season, including 3-2 defeat to Liverpool
• Newcastle relent and will accept £130m with 24 hours of window left
• Liverpool have £130m bid accepted on Aug 31

• SEPTEMBER: Isak travels to Liverpool for medical on deadline day morning
• Liverpool announce British record signing on deadline day at 9.30pm – two-and-a-half hours after transfer window closes
• Takes No9 shirt at Anfield
• Newcastle release blunt 37-word statement confirming exit