Brentford’s Yoane Wissa will be absent from the squad for their Premier League opener against Nottingham Forest this weekend, raising questions about his future with the club.
With former manager Thomas Frank now at Tottenham and key players like Bryan Mbeumo and Christian Norgaard departing, Wissa’s potential exit adds to the uncertainty surrounding the team. The forward, who scored 19 goals last season, has expressed his desire to leave Brentford.
Despite interest from Newcastle United, a reported bid of £25m plus add-ons was turned down. Wissa had been training separately from the first team during pre-season, threatening not to play if he wasn’t allowed to move. While he has since rejoined training, new boss Keith Andrews has decided not to include him in the squad for the Nottingham Forest clash.
Andrews stated, “I have made a decision he is not [available]. It has been a very disrupted pre-season – I think you’re aware of that interest in Yoane. [I’m] very clear on the situation. As a head coach, I want Yoane in the building to be a part of the first team and the squad. I see that moving forwards, but I am very understanding of his situation.”
“I have a very good relationship with him, and that will persist, but we have to focus on the players who are ready to play and perform on Sunday, and I don’t think Yoane’s in that space. For Yoane on Sunday, he won’t be involved.”
