BBC: Newcastle moving quickly to beat Spurs & Nottingham Forest to surprise signing

Newcastle United appear to be moving quickly after walking away from a deal to sign Hugo Ekitike.

A £70m offer was submitted for the Frenchman earlier this week, but it was rejected by Frankfurt, who are now closing in on an agreement with Liverpool, who've been forced to settle for their 'plan B'  after their approach for Alexander Isak failed.

News broke from David Ornstein this morning that we've now turned our attentions to Yoane Wissa, and another update on the Brentford striker has emerged from BBC Sport.

Senior writer Sami Mokbel now writes that Newcastle are moving quickly to land the DR Congo international and expected to 'accelerate' their bid to land the forward in the next 24 hours.

He reports that Spurs and Nottingham Forest's interest in the 28-year-old had been more 'advanced' than that of Newcastle's, but Toon chiefs are now set to ramp up efforts to land Wissa now a deal for Ekitike is off the table.

BBC Sport report that Brentford will not sell both Bryan Mbeumo and Wissa this summer, but Mbeumo's proposed move to Old Trafford is stalling, handing Newcastle the chance to step in.

Wissa is thought to be 'open' to leaving the West London club this summer, with a move for Champions League football appealing to the forward who hit 20 goals in all competitions for Brentford last season.

Newcastle line-up Brentford striker Yoane Wissa as Hugo Ekitike alternative after withdrawing interest in Eintracht Frankfurt forward, who is advancing with Liverpool. Tottenham and Nottingham Forest more advanced over Wissa - but #NUFC are moving. https://t.co/QoPaIj2gJW

— Sami Mokbel (@SamiMokbel_BBC) July 17, 2025