The 29-year-old forward ranks among the club’s priciest signings, behind only Nick Woltemade, Alexander Isak, Anthony Elanga, and Sandro Tonali. His transfer also broke Newcastle’s record fee for a player aged over 25, previously held by the £25 million deal for Chris Wood from Burnley in 2022.
Although Wissa adds valuable Premier League experience to the squad scoring 19 league goals for Brentford last season there are some concerns surrounding the timing and impact of the move.
Currently on international duty with DR Congo, Wissa impressed with a goal and an assist in a 4-1 win over South Sudan on Friday. However, he hasn’t featured in a club match since the end of last season and already missed Newcastle’s first three league games due to transfer developments. He’s now expected to be unavailable for several more matches during one of the most demanding stretches of the season.
Yoane Wissa To Feature In Upcoming AFCON Tournament
Yoane Wissa is preparing to join the DR Congo national team for the Africa Cup of Nations, which will be held from December through January.
DR Congo will kick off their group stage campaign on December 23 against Benin in Morocco, with group matches running until December 30.
As a result, Wissa will be absent for at least three Premier League fixtures against Chelsea, Manchester United, and Burnley. If DR Congo advances to the knockout rounds, he is also expected to miss additional games, including the home clash with Crystal Palace and potentially the match against Leeds United.
Should his national team reach the quarter-finals, Wissa would be unavailable for Newcastle’s FA Cup third-round tie. A semi-final appearance would further rule him out of the Premier League fixture at Wolverhampton Wanderers on January 17.
In that scenario, Wissa could also be a doubt for Newcastle’s Champions League match against PSV Eindhoven on January 21 just days after the AFCON final and third-place play-off.
In total, Wissa is guaranteed to miss three matches but could be sidelined for as many as eight if DR Congo enjoys a deep run in the tournament.
Currently on international duty, Wissa is expected to return in time for Newcastle’s Premier League fixture against Wolverhampton Wanderers at St James’ Park on September 13 (3 p.m. kick-off).
Speaking to the club after completing his transfer, Wissa said:
“I’m really happy to be here and to sign for one of the biggest clubs in the Premier League. I’m very, very excited to put on the black and white shirt. I’ve got dreams, I’ve got faith, and now I will do my best to make it all happen. I can’t wait to get started.”
Manager Eddie Howe also praised the signing, saying:
“Yoane is a player we’ve admired for a while and we’re thrilled to have him join us. His Premier League record speaks for itself not just in terms of goals, but also the important contributions he makes to the team.
His pace, strength, and work ethic will excite our fans and suit our style of play perfectly. He strengthens the squad immediately.”
