As Mirror Football (Tier 3) has reported, Yoane Wissa is preparing to lead DR Congo against Thomas Tuchel's England in the World Cup round of 32. While the 29-year-old is currently flying on the international stage, reports from Goal and GiveMeSport (Tier 3) confirm Newcastle United are already looking to cut their losses on the forward this summer.
The Tyneside club is reportedly ready to put Wissa on the transfer list after a single, underwhelming season. The striker joined Newcastle in September 2025 in a deal worth £55 million, but his debut campaign on Tyneside fell flat. Plagued by a persistent knee injury and a lack of sharpness, Wissa managed only one goal in 19 Premier League appearances.
The Tyneside Nightmare and the World Cup Resurgence
Wissa's struggles in Newcastle colours stand in stark contrast to his sensational international form. DR Congo has pieced together a historic run in the 2026 World Cup in North America. They fought through a difficult Group K, securing third place on four points and qualifying for the knockouts for the first time since Zaire competed in 1974.
The Newcastle forward has been the undisputed hero of this run, scoring the vital equaliser in a 1-1 draw against Portugal. He then followed that up with a match-winning brace in a 3-1 win over Uzbekistan. His national team manager has built the entire front line around his movement, giving him the freedom he has lacked under Eddie Howe.
Yet, Wissa's presence on the world stage is a minor miracle. Exactly five years ago, on July 1, 2021, Wissa was the victim of a horrific acid attack in northwestern France. An assailant approached his home asking for an autograph before returning later that evening to throw highly corrosive liquid directly into his face and eyes.
The assailant, Laetitia P., also attempted to kidnap Wissa's newborn daughter. Wissa fought her off, saving his child, but suffered severe chemical burns. Rushed to emergency surgery on both eyes, doctors miraculously saved his sight.
Just one month after this traumatic event, Wissa completed an £8.5 million move to Brentford. In January 2025, the assailant stood trial in France. Wissa travelled from England to give testimony, detailing the long-term psychological and physical trauma he still carries.
The court heard how he spent six months recovering his vision and remains dependent on daily eye drops. The assailant was found guilty and sentenced to 18 years in prison. Wissa has refused corrective cosmetic surgery, choosing to keep his scars as part of his personal history.
"Since then, I panic every time I hear a noise, and the only thing that kept me going was knowing my children are safe."
While his resilience is unquestioned, Newcastle United are looking at the cold numbers on their balance sheet rather than his inspiring recovery. The tactical mismatch between Wissa and Newcastle manager Eddie Howe became obvious early in the season. Howe demands a high-intensity, physical pressing system from his front three.
Wissa, recovering from a pre-season knee injury, lacked the physical capacity to lead that press. He struggled to occupy central defenders, often drifting into wide areas where he ran into congested spaces. At Brentford, Thomas Frank utilised Wissa as a high-volume transitional threat.
He thrived in a fluid front two or coming off the left wing in counter-attacks. At Newcastle, he was asked to play as a disciplined central striker. He looked isolated, registering just 1.2 shots per 90 minutes.
His lack of physical presence made it easy for Premier League centre-backs to mark him out of games. His performances for DR Congo show what is possible in a setup with different demands. Sébastien Desabre deploys a fluid 4-2-3-1 where Wissa is given free rein to exploit spaces between the fullback and centre-back.
Freed from heavy defensive duties, Wissa has thrived, taking three goals from just five shots on target in the group stage. Yet, Newcastle is not in a position to restructure their entire tactical system to accommodate him. The Tyneside club is in a difficult financial position regarding Wissa's contract.
The Financial Reality: Valuation, Contracts, and Potential Suitors
He signed a long-term deal that runs until June 30, 2029. With three years remaining on that agreement, his wages represent a significant commitment. Since Newcastle paid a premium fee of £55 million just ten months ago, they face a massive write-down on their investment.
Reports suggest Newcastle are willing to listen to offers in the region of £15 million to £30 million. Accepting a bid at the lower end of that spectrum would represent a £40 million loss. However, offloading Wissa is considered necessary to free up capital for incoming targets.
The club has already been linked with AS Monaco striker Folarin Balogun as a direct replacement. Currently, no specific clubs have made concrete bids for Wissa. His high wages and poor club form present significant obstacles for mid-table Premier League sides.
Ligue 1 clubs have expressed tentative interest, but few can match the financial terms of his Newcastle contract. Wissa himself has publicly stated his desire to stay and fight for his place on Tyneside. The probability of Wissa leaving Newcastle this summer remains moderate to high.
Probability
Newcastle's hierarchy is determined to reshape the squad after missing out on Champions League football. The club needs to generate funds to comply with financial regulations. Keeping an expensive, tactically mismatched forward on the bench is a luxury they cannot afford.
The timeline for any transfer will depend on DR Congo's World Cup run. If Wissa performs well against England, his market value could receive a timely boost. A strong performance in the round of 32 will alert European clubs looking for a proven goalscorer.
Newcastle will hold off on final negotiations until the tournament concludes, hoping a bidding war emerges. If Wissa refuses to leave, Newcastle face a difficult choice. They can reintegrate a player who does not fit their manager's plans or exclude him from the Premier League squad entirely.
The most likely outcome is a loan deal with an option to buy, allowing Newcastle to clear his wages while deferring a permanent sale. This arrangement would allow Newcastle to pivot to more suitable targets.
Expected Impact: The Post-Wissa Future
Pursuing Folarin Balogun would give Howe a striker more comfortable in a high-pressing system. It also removes a source of tactical friction from the dressing room. For Wissa, a move away from Tyneside is the only way to rescue his club career.
At 29, Wissa cannot afford another season on the bench. He needs a manager who trusts his movement and plays to his strengths. His performances in North America prove he still has the quality to decide matches at the highest level.
A return to France or a move to a possession-based Premier League side would suit him perfectly. Newcastle's £55 million gamble has failed, but both parties have a clear path forward. The coming weeks will determine whether Wissa can translate his international heroics into a fresh start at club level.
