Brentford to ‘dig their heels in’ with Yoane Wissa after Newcastle update
Yoane Wissa and Nathan Collins cannot be allowed to leave Brentford this summer as Newcastle United and Liverpool prepare new bids.
Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson argued that a “big struggle” is on the cards for Brentford if Wissa is sold to Newcastle.
Wissa has accused Brentford of breaking the “pact” they had agreed to sell the striker if a big-money offer was made for him, and has gone on strike as a result, refusing to train with Keith Andrews’ side.
Meanwhile, Liverpool have declared their own interest in Collins just days after he was appointed as Brentford’s new captain by Andrews, and Robinson told Football Insider that he is fearing the worst.
Football Insider revealed on 2 August that Brentford would “reluctantly accept” improved bids for Wissa after turning down Newcastle’s £25million offer, and Robinson said this could have dire consequences.
The Bees have already seen Christian Norgaard, Bryan Mbeumo and manager Thomas Frank head for the exit door, but Robinson has told Football Insider that they must battle to retain Collins and Wissa.
Wissa and Collins to continue chaotic summer at Brentford
This article contains exclusive comment from Paul Robinson, a football pundit and former England, Tottenham and Leeds goalkeeper.
Newcastle’s interest in Wissa did cool somewhat after they turned attention to Benjamin Sesko, but the RB Leipzig striker’s confirmed move to Manchester United sends Eddie Howe‘s side back to square one.
Speaking on the latest Inside Track, Robinson said that Wissa joining the exodus of start players from the Gtech Community Stadium could be catastrophic for the Bees, particularly if he’s joined by Collins.
“With the players that they’ve lost, and if Wissa goes as well, it’s going to be a big struggle for Brentford”, Robinson told Football Insider.
“They can ill afford to let [Nathan] Collins go, in my opinion, and I think they’ve got to dig their heels in with Wissa.
“They’ve got to turn his mind around, keep hold of him, and they can’t entertain any offers for Collins, because with four years left on his deal, his value is only going one way – and it’s going to go up.”
Brentford braced for further exits as new incomings lined up
Wissa couldn’t have made his desire to leave Brentford much clearer, and the striker’s stance ironically mirrors the actions taken by Alexander Isak as he also pushes for a move from Newcastle to Liverpool.
Isak could cause a chain reaction in the market which sees Newcastle go on a late spending spree, but they’ll be reluctant to sanction Isak’s sale without a replacement like Wissa already through the doors.
Brentford are ready to push the button on a move for Bournemouth’s Dango Ouattara which could in turn give Andrews an ideal Wissa replacement, but it remains to be seen if the Bees can re-rail what’s so far been a transfer window from hell.