Nottingham Forest transfer news: Brentford reject bid for striker Yoane Wissa having enquired last summer
Brentford have officially rejected Nottingham Forest’s bid for Yoane Wissa and are determined to keep him until at least the summer.
They do not want to part with any of their forward players this month including Kevin Schade and Bryan Mbeumo.
The club want to get their best players back from injury, including defenders Aaron Hickey, Kristoffer Ajer and Ethan Pinnock – and striker Igor Thiago.
Schade is on the radar of Borussia Dortmund and Napoli while Mbeumo is being tracked by the likes of Liverpool, Newcastle and may more.
Wissa has been a standout performer for Brentford this season, becoming their all-time Premier League top scorer ahead of Ivan Toney when scoring in their 2-2 draw against Man City to take his tally to 37.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
The Transfer Talk panel discuss whether Brentford’s Yoane Wissa is likely to make the move to Nottingham Forest this transfer window and how he would fit into the team if he did
He is among the top-10 performing strikers in the Premier League, according to Wyscout data. His goals-per-minute ratio is better than Cole Palmer and Mbeumo this season.
Wissa has been a top target for Forest since the summer but their bid – which was thought to be less than £22m – was rejected out of hand.
Nuno Espirito Santo is looking to add attacking reinforcements with his side third in the table, six points behind leaders Liverpool having won seven of their last eight Premier League outings.
West Ham have previously been linked with a move for Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi but he will not be allowed to depart the City Ground unless a replacement is found.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Take a look at some of the best goals scored by Brentford’s Yoane Wissa in the Premier League
Wissa’s current contract runs through to 2026 with the option of a further year.
The 28-year-old joined Brentford from French side Lorient in August 2021 and has scored 41 goals in 133 appearances for the west London club, providing nine assists.
The DR Congo forward has scored 11 times in 19 Premier League games so far this term with only Erling Haaland, Palmer, Mohamed Salah, Alexander Isak, Chris Wood and team-mate Mbeumo having more top-flight goals in 2024/25.
Do the numbers show why Forest want Wissa?
Sky Sports’ Sam Blitz:
Nottingham Forest have a situation where Taiwo Awoniyi is attracting interest having been second fiddle to the impressive Chris Wood this season.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s side will then want the next best centre-forward option available to Wood – and Wissa is exactly that in the numbers. The Congolese forward also averages the per xG per shot in the Premier League this season – so gets better chances on average than Wood.
Wissa has a conversion rate to rival Wood’s and even though the Brentford forward would struggle for starts at the City Ground, Nuno’s reliance on substitutes – Forest have made the most out of any Premier League team this season – means Wissa could get minutes.
One talking point, however, is Wissa’s partnership with Bryan Mbeumo. Thomas Frank says the pair have a special relationship, combining seven times for goals since the start of last season. Wissa and Mbeumo have gone so far as to move next door to each other, such is their bond.
So would Forest be getting the same Wissa without Mbeumo?
Murillo agrees terms on new Forest deal
Meanwhile, Murillo has verbally agreed terms on a new contract at Forest.
Sky Sports News reported last week that a deal was close and it is now understood that the two sides have shaken hands on an improved contract – although the paperwork has yet to be drawn up and signed.
Tying down Murillo to a new long-term commitment was a January priority for manager Nuno Espírito Santo and club owner Evangelos Marinakis, even though his existing deal still has three-and-a-half years to run. The Brazilian defender is seen as one of the jewels in Forest’s crown.
Discussions with Ola Aina and Chris Wood continue over their contract situations, with all sides optimistic agreements will be reached.
Transfer Centre LIVE! Deals, rumours, news on your phone 📱
The January transfer window is OPEN!
Follow all the latest deals, news and rumours on the ‘Transfers’ section of the Sky Sports app!
Looking for news about YOUR club? Find dedicated transfer pages for EVERY Premier League team.
