Nottingham Forest’s pursuit of Yoane Wissa has ultimately fallen short, leaving the club frustrated and with a sense of missed opportunity. Despite months of interest and a determined effort to bring the talented winger to the City Ground, it now seems clear that Wissa will be joining Newcastle United in a deal that looks set to conclude soon. This latest turn of events is a reminder of the competitive nature of the transfer market and the hurdles that clubs like Forest must overcome if they are to secure their targets.

Forest first became interested in Wissa back in January, during the winter transfer window, when former manager Nuno Espirito Santo had identified him as a key target. At that point, Brentford were firm in their valuation of the player, reportedly asking for a fee close to £25 million. This price tag was deemed too high by Forest, who had other priorities during that window. As a result, they did not follow through with a bid, and Wissa remained at Brentford for the remainder of the season.

However, the summer transfer window brought new hope for Forest’s recruitment team. With Anthony Elanga’s departure creating a vacancy in the squad and fresh plans being made for the upcoming season, Wissa once again emerged as a potential target. Forest reignited their interest in the winger, and this time they were more prepared to move forward with a bid, though still not at the level Brentford was hoping for. They submitted a fresh offer that was once again below the £25 million mark—something that Brentford found insufficient for a player of Wissa’s quality.

Brentford, known for their shrewd and efficient business dealings, quickly rebuffed the offer, reiterating their valuation and making it clear that they expected in excess of £50 million for the player. This high asking price, while ambitious, is not entirely unreasonable given Wissa’s ability and impact at Brentford in recent seasons. The winger had been instrumental in helping the Bees maintain their Premier League status, contributing both with goals and assists. For Brentford, this sort of player, who has become an established figure in the English top-flight, is not someone they were willing to part with unless a substantial fee was met.

Despite the setback, Nottingham Forest did not immediately abandon their pursuit. They believed that the transfer could still be salvaged, especially with Wissa entering the final stages of his contract with Brentford. However, it was soon clear that Forest’s hopes of landing the player were dashed when reports emerged that Wissa had made it known he preferred a move to Newcastle United.

Newcastle’s newfound stature in European football, having qualified for the UEFA Champions League, was a significant factor in this change of heart. Wissa, a player with ambitions to play at the highest level of club football, saw the move to Newcastle as an opportunity to challenge for major honors and play among the continent’s elite. For a player like Wissa, the chance to showcase his talents on the European stage, alongside some of the Premier League’s best, is a major pull. Furthermore, Newcastle’s financial strength and their growing appeal under the ownership of the Saudi-backed consortium only enhanced their attractiveness as a destination for top talent.

This shift in preference left Nottingham Forest in a difficult position, as it quickly became clear that their hopes of landing the player were slim to none. By the time reports indicated that Wissa had all but decided on a move to Tyneside, it seemed Forest’s efforts had come too late. The situation only moved faster after Wissa himself pushed to make the move happen, with sources indicating that a £35 million package was being discussed between the two clubs. While this amount is lower than what Brentford originally demanded, it is a figure that Newcastle is prepared to meet, and Wissa’s eagerness to finalize the deal is playing a crucial role in pushing the transfer to completion.

For Forest, this represents another blow in what has already been a challenging summer transfer window. The club’s decision to focus on Wissa as a priority target was based on his qualities as an attacking player who could make a real impact in the Premier League. Wissa’s pace, technical ability, and knack for scoring goals made him an ideal candidate to fill the void left by Elanga’s departure. Missing out on him now, especially to a club like Newcastle, is undoubtedly a disappointment for Forest fans and the club’s hierarchy, who had hoped to strengthen their squad with such a high-profile signing.

Despite this setback, Nottingham Forest are far from sitting idly by. The club has already moved on, redirecting their attention to other targets in the transfer market. One of the names now at the forefront of their recruitment efforts is Dan Ndoye, the Swiss winger currently playing for Bologna in Serie A. Ndoye has impressed in Italy, showcasing his speed, versatility, and eye for goal, which makes him an exciting option for Forest. In fact, reports suggest that Forest have already made a £40 million bid for the player, demonstrating their commitment to securing a top-tier attacking talent.

Ndoye, however, is not without competition. Both Napoli and Manchester United are understood to be interested in the winger, and their financial power and established reputation will make the race to sign him intense. Despite this, Forest’s ability to make a significant offer—backed by the financial muscle of owner Evangelos Marinakis—gives them a good chance of landing the player. Whether they can convince Ndoye to choose them over the other suitors remains to be seen, but Forest’s proactive approach to the window bodes well for their chances.

In addition to Ndoye, Forest also remains interested in Manchester City’s James McAtee. The talented English midfielder, who has impressed in loan spells with Sheffield United, has reportedly turned down a move to the Bundesliga, preferring instead to remain in England for the next stage of his career. McAtee is a highly rated young talent with the potential to offer creativity and flair in the midfield, an area Forest has been keen to strengthen this summer. McAtee’s willingness to stay in the Premier League opens the door for Forest to make a move, and his addition would add depth and dynamism to their midfield options.

Though the pursuit of Wissa has not ended the way Forest had hoped, the club’s resolve in targeting alternative players shows their commitment to improving the squad for the coming season. Their recruitment team is working tirelessly to secure signings that will strengthen the attack and midfield, with Ndoye and McAtee two exciting prospects currently at the forefront. With competition intensifying, it will be interesting to see whether Forest can land their next targets before the window closes, ensuring that they have the necessary reinforcements to push for a successful season. The stakes are high, and the next few weeks will be crucial for the club’s ambitions in the Premier League.