(Credit: Manh Tung - Breaking Media, Imago)

Oliver Walton

Sat 16 August 2025 10:00, UK

Newcastle could sign both Ollie Watkins and Yoane Wissa as replacements for Alexander Isak before they let him leave to join Liverpool this summer.

Alexander Isak gets Liverpool move and Yoane Wissa hijacked - Newcastle's nightmare window	Sources: Newcastle’s new Yoane Wissa bid to be accepted after Brentford deal agreed	Yoane Wissa 'given Newcastle green light' as Brentford strike £42m deal

Isak’s transfer saga is showing no signs of ending anytime soon, but a decision for him to either stay at Newcastle or leave the club will have to be taken at some point with the transfer window soon set to close.

The Swedish international striker has been a key man for the Magpies over the last few years, but now looks to have burnt his bridges on Tyneside by refusing to play under Eddie Howe until he is sold.

(Credit: Imago)

Liverpool’s first bid for Isak was rejected by Newcastle, who were unwilling to let him go for a package totalling £120million, but he still wants away and the Magpies are eyeing up replacements as the window progresses.

Football Insider revealed on Friday (15 August) that Isak looks increasingly likely to join Liverpool the longer his strike goes on, and now Newcastle have been mooted to bring in two Premier League stars in his place.

Former scout Mick Brown revealed to Football Insider on 5 August that Newcastle are interested in a move for Watkins with a potential Aston Villa exit on the horizon this month.

Wissa looks set to join the Magpies from Brentford soon after they agreed a deal to sign Dango Ouattara from Bournemouth, and so Howe’s options could still be strong regardless of Isak’s situation come 1 September.

(Credit: Manh Tung, Breaking Media)

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Former Villa striker Darren Bent issued a prediction on the Swede’s future while speaking live on talkSPORT on Friday (15 August), insisting that Newcastle will be happy to sell him if they are able to bring in both Watkins and Wissa.

He said: “Because there have been links between Watkins and Newcastle, and Wissa is desperate to go there, I think if Newcastle get an inkling that they could get Wissa and Watkins, then they will let Isak go, but I don’t think Watkins will leave Villa…I don’t know why.

“I just think that’s the way that Isak will get out of Newcastle.

Newcastle have to have two, I don’t think just Wissa is enough.

I think if they get Watkins and Wissa, they will let him go, because them two are more-than-adequate backups for Isak.”

Football Insider verdict

Wissa’s future has been up in the air over the last few weeks, with a move to St James’ Park in the balance ahead of the upcoming Premier League campaign.

His 19 league goals helped Brentford to a 10th-placed finish last season, and while he would be a stellar addition to Howe’s squad after so many rejections from transfer targets, he would certainly not have enough to replace Isak by himself.

AppearancesGoalsAssists1494913Wissa’s Brentford career stats

With Watkins looking increasingly likely to stay at Villa after they recently sold Jacob Ramsey to the Magpies to ease their financial concerns, Newcastle could instead seal a move for Samu Agehowa from Porto as their second striker addition.

Football Insider revealed on Wednesday, 13 August, that Newcastle plan to submit a bid for Samu, who scored 19 league goals for Porto last season, and so he seems a lot more likely to move to St James’ Park than the England international right now.

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