Newcastle turn to Wissa after ending Ekitike pursuit
Newcastle are expected to accelerate their interest in Brentford striker Yoane Wissa in the next 24 hours after withdrawing from their pursuit of Hugo Ekitike.
The Magpies want to sign a new centre-forward but their £70m offer to Eintracht Frankfurt for 23-year-old Frenchman Ekitike was rejected.
Liverpool have also targeted Ekitike as a possible alternative to their first-choice target, Newcastle’s Alexander Isak.
And with Newcastle adamant Isak is not for sale, the Anfield club are now expected to step up their interest in Ekitike.
Sources have told BBC Sport that with Newcastle’s efforts to land Ekitike hitting complications in the last 24 hours, the Magpies have turned their attentions to Wissa.
Brentford attacker Wissa, 28, is also a target for Tottenham and Nottingham Forest
It is understood Newcastle’s interest in the Democratic Republic of Congo international is less advanced than that of those clubs as things stand, but it is now set to ramp up as the club from north east England increase their efforts to sign a striker.
Brentford are adamant they do not want to lose Bryan Mbeumo, who is coveted by Manchester United, and Wissa this summer – but Wissa is open to leaving the Bees for a chance to play in the Champions League.
He has scored 45 goals in 137 Premier League appearances since joining from Lorient in 2021.
Welcome to the second part of Lee Clark’s top five greatest managers to have managed Newcastle United.
At number three is Kevin Keegan. Under ‘King Kev’s’ leadership between 1992 and 1997, Newcastle were promoted to the Premier League and came runners-up in 1996 and 1997.
“A man who had come in and changed the landscape of the club as a player. then came in and did something crazy as a manager,” Clark told BBC Radio Newcastle.
“The reason he is not in the top two is because he couldn’t find that elusive trophy. In 1995, we got close – we got ridiculously close.
“The brand of football, the excitement, just the way he turned the club around.”
Clark names current boss Eddie Howe at number two. Howe took charge of the club after takeover in late 2021 and has guided the club to two Champions League qualifications, as well as winning their first trophy in 70 years after beating Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final.
“I think he is an outstanding manager,” Howe said. “He is the perfect manager for us because he gets the club and the area.
“His work ethic is ridiculous, and his ability to develop players is unbelievable. They play an exciting brand of football, on the front foot.
“He has improved us and also got us one of the best seasons ever by winning that elusive trophy and getting us into the Champions League.”
