‘It’s been so hard for me’ – Yoane Wissa reacts to Brentford teammate’s message after he goes on strike
Aaron Hickey was back in a Brentford shirt for the first time in over 20 months as Yoane Wissa continues to push for a move away.
Brentford’s squad has been picked apart so far this summer with a plethora of exits in the wake of Thomas Frank‘s move to Tottenham, leaving Keith Andrews with a huge task on his hands next season.
Mark Flekken, Christian Norgaard and Bryan Mbeumo have all departed this summer, and Wissa is keen to follow Mbeumo out the door after the duo netted 39 Premier League goals between them last term.
Wissa has refused to train for Brentford amid growing interest from Newcastle United and a £25million bid already rejected by the Bees, who have made clear to the striker that he won’t be sold this summer.
Hickey sends message after Brentford absence – ‘what a feeling’
Brentford are bracing for Newcastle to ramp up their interest in Wissa amid the ongoing speculation over his and Alexander Isak’s futures, but the Bees’ depleted squad has still seen some reinforcements arrive.
Caoimhin Kelleher, Jordan Henderson and Antoni Milambo have all been signed to make up for the losses of Flekken, Norgaard and Mbeumo respectively, and Andrews’ full-back stocks have also been bolstered.
Aaron Hickey hasn’t featured in a first-team game since October 2023 after complications from a serious hamstring injury, and finally made his comeback in the Bees’ friendly against Gil Vicente on 25 July.
Hickey took to Instagram (27 July) with a message for Brentford fans after his absence, and in a post liked by Wissa, he said: “What a feeling being out there with the boys, been a hard process for me personally but it’s now time to kick on and push harder.
“I appreciate the support from you fans, my teammates and staff you guys have made it a whole lot easier for me. Can’t wait for the season to start!! See you soon bees”.
Wissa set to force his way to Brentford transfer
Football Insider Verdict
Brentford‘s players may be surprised to see Wissa liking a team-mate’s post given his current reluctance to even train with them, but they’ll be under no illusions that the striker wants to move to pastures new.
Newcastle‘s move for Wissa has some distance left to run and is complicated by several moving parts, with Isak’s potential move to Liverpool far from even being close and Brentford yet to accept their offers.
Wissa was always going to attract interest this summer after 19 goals and five assists last season, but Brentford will be expected to fight harder than ever before to end the summer exodus and retain their in-demand frontman.