The transfer saga surrounding Yoane Wissa has taken a new, frustrating turn, with Brentford reportedly continuing to block the striker's move to Newcastle despite completing the club-record signing of a replacement.
Despite the arrival of Dango Ouattara in a £42.5 million deal, the Bees are holding firm on their demands, setting a "crazy high" asking price for the unhappy striker.
Wissa, 28, has made his desire to leave the club clear, reportedly refusing to train with the first team.
However, with Brentford's first Premier League game now played, the club is seemingly digging in its heels.
The situation is complicated by the identity of Brentford's new signing.
While many believed Ouattara's arrival from Bournemouth would immediately trigger Wissa's departure, Brentford's Director of Football Phil Giles clarified that Ouattara was signed to replace Bryan Mbeumo, who joined Manchester United earlier in the window.
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This distinction suggests that Brentford are refusing to lose both their key forwards in a single summer and are now determined to keep Wissa.
Brentford's position has also been bolstered by their stubborn valuation of the DR Congo international.
The club is reportedly quoting a fee in the region of £40 million to £50 million, a price tag that has proven to be a significant stumbling block for Newcastle, who have only offered around £25 million.
For Newcastle, the situation is now a test of their resolve.
Wissa's Premier League pedigree is exactly what manager Eddie Howe needs, but meeting Brentford's inflated valuation for an unhappy player in the final year of his contract is a huge gamble.
As the transfer window enters its final stages, the standoff continues.
Brentford, having already lost key players and their manager this summer, are refusing to be seen as a "soft touch."
This leaves Newcastle with a difficult decision: to pay the high price for a player who wants to leave, or to walk away and continue their search for a striker elsewhere.
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