‘No-one’s mentioning him’ – Paul Merson: Yoane Wissa getting away with it because of Alexander Isak saga
The actions of Yoane Wissa are going under the radar because of the ongoing Alexander Isak saga, according to Paul Merson.
The summer transfer window has been dominated by the slim pickings of strikers in world football with Isak’s continuing links to Liverpool the main headline.
His presumed exit would have been a domino effect to likely pave the way for Brentford‘s Premier League top scorer to come to St James’ Park with Wissa looking to force a move to Newcastle.
The Congolese’s lack of involvement in the Bees’ season so far has appeared to have been lost amid the noise around the Swede, with Isak taking criticism from all angles in the North East.
Alexander Isak expected to seal Liverpool move after fracturing his Newcastle ‘legacy’
Speaking on Sky Sports Soccer Saturday (23 August, 12.07pm), the former Arsenal midfielder gave his views on where the Magpies’ number 14 will end up when the transfer window shuts at the end of August.
The ex-Gunner said that the Sweden international will end up: “At Liverpool, yeah I do [think so]… Daws [Michael Dawson] said it a couple of weeks ago that after Monday’s game it’ll be sorted out, I think he’s spot on.
“It’s gotta be sorted out, these players now don’t need the money to pay their mortgage, he can sit there for another six months if he wants, they might as well take the money now.
“He doesn’t want to play, he’s lost his legacy. It’s a shame on Newcastle because I thought they should’ve beat Villa last week, if Isak’s playing they would’ve won that game and that would’ve been an amazing start to the season.”
“For me, I don’t like the way this has panned out. It’s not the first time and it won’t be the last time.”
Merson then added that the winner of the ongoing saga is Brentford’s goal-getter, saying: “the only one that’s gained out of this is Wissa at Brentford, because no-one’s mentioning him.”
Newcastle must let go of Alexander Isak to realise huge Yoane Wissa potential
Football Insider verdict
During the whole saga between the Toon and their main number nine, I have been surprised that they have been so reluctant to let him go when receiving hefty offers over £100million.
The club desperately need the influx of funds in order to vastly improve areas of the squad, yet, by turning down monumental offers they are only hurting themselves in progressing as a club.
Moreover, evidently Wissa is striving to play Champions League football, which Newcastle will provide, and will drop everything to join the club.
| Yoane Wissa all competitions 2024-25 | |
| Appearances | 39 |
| Minutes played | 3,077 |
| Goals | 20 |
| Assists | 4 |
So, surely getting rid of one forward who is disinterested and disengaged with the Magpies can be replaced by the Bees striker who is eager to play under Eddie Howe.
It is a rather strange handling by the club on Tyneside and, with better planning, they could have easily sorted out the situation weeks in advance to capitalise on the discontent of both players.
However, as we have seen, this has been the focal point of Newcastle’s abysmal transfer window with lack of vision or intensity to get deals over-the-line.