Newcastle paid ‘£10m over the odds’ to complete ‘crazy’ deal
Newcastle United paid £10million more than expected to complete a “crazy” deal for Yoane Wissa.
Wissa finalised his move to Newcastle on deadline day (1 September), with the deal believed to be worth around £55million.
It comes after Alexander Isak joined Liverpool in a £125million deal, forcing Eddie Howe’s side to sign a replacement following weeks of speculation.
Wissa went on strike at Brentford last month after initially seeing his move to Newcastle blocked.
The 29-year-old, who registered 20 goals and five assists in 39 appearances last season, has now signed a four-year contract at St James’ Park.
Newcastle agreed ‘amazing’ Yoane Wissa deal
This article contains exclusive comment from Stefan Borson, a former financial adviser to Man City.
Newcastle also signed Nick Woltemade in a £69million deal from Stuttgart towards the end of the transfer window.
Wissa and Woltemade will be in line to make their debuts at St James’ Park against Wolves on 13 September following the ongoing international break.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider about the Wissa deal, Borson said: “I think he had one-plus-one, so I think he had two years left on his contract.
“But he’s 29 as of last week. I think it’s an amazing price to pay. But they needed the player and what’s the option really?
“They got to the end of the window, there’s nowhere to go on it. They’ve got the money, Brentford know they’ve got the money. They couldn’t have been sure that Brentford wouldn’t say we’re just not selling.
“I would think playing poker with Matthew Benham is not a great exercise. You’re probably going to lose, and I think they did lose. They paid at least £10million over the odds. I think it’s a crazy deal. I guess they had no choice.
“Once you get to that stage, once you’ve sold Isak, you need a striker. You’ve got to have somebody. Otherwise, the whole season’s toast, isn’t it? Or at least half of it is, and they can’t afford for the first half of the season to go very badly because it sets the tone for the second half and some of the prizes in the second half.
“They’ve got six Champions League games before the window opens, so there’s no way around it. They have to sign the player and, ultimately, Brentford played them really well. But the player is not going to be fit for a few weeks, you would think.
“I think it’s a very surprising deal, but you can understand the circumstances of it.”
Wolves could offer Newcastle target big-money deal
Newcastle made a move to sign Jorgen Strand Larsen towards the end of the transfer window, but they saw a £55million offer rejected for the forward.
Football Insider revealed on 31 August Wolves could offer Strand Larsen a new big-money contract to remain at Molineux.
The 25-year-old has registered 16 goals and five assists in 41 appearances since joining Vitor Pereira’s side last summer.
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