Yoane Wissa has stirred up a storm with his statement on August 31, demanding a move away from Brentford and accusing the club of going back on their word. He says promises were made that he could leave if a “reasonable offer” arrived and claims that Newcastle’s approach, reported at around £35m plus add-ons, fits the bill. In his words, the club are “unduly standing in my way.”
He tried to frame it as respectful, writing that he has “not acted unprofessionally” and doesn’t want to leave “on bad terms.” He says he kept quiet all summer and only spoke up now because time is running out. But if refusing to train and making yourself unavailable when a bid comes in isn’t unprofessional, then what is? From a fan’s point of view, it feels like he’s rewriting the story to suit himself.
This “reasonable offer” line doesn’t wash either. Reasonable for who… Newcastle or Brentford? A striker who hits almost 20 goals in a season is worth far more than £25m or £30m in today’s market, and Brentford have every right to hold out for their valuation. If Newcastle won’t pay it, that’s their problem, not Brentford’s. Plenty of players have been in Wissa’s shoes before. Eberechi Eze didn’t strike when Palace turned down bids… nor did Bryan Mbeumo… they got on with his job. That’s what professionalism looks like.
Instead, Wissa has “gone rogue.” That’s the phrase many fans are using, and it’s hard to disagree. He’s forced the club into a corner just days before the window shuts, making demands that only weaken his own position. If he genuinely respected the fans, he’d still be training, still be playing, and letting the clubs sort it out properly. And considering much of Wissa’s ‘argument’ is based on a written agreement, you would have thought he would back that up with some proof.
But Brentford aren’t stupid. This club know the value of its assets. Nobody at the Gtech is about to be bullied into a cut-price deal because a player has thrown his toys out of the pram.
The sad truth is that Wissa may already have burned his bridges. Even if no deal is struck before the transfer deadline, it’s hard to see a way back into the starting eleven now. A player who had the chance to leave as a legend will instead be remembered for wholly different reasons. He has let himself down, but more importantly, he’s let our club down—and it won’t be forgotten.
Dave Lane
