Stuart Pearce has ‘no doubt’ that Manchester United and Arsenal have been looking at a deal to sign Yoane Wissa from Brentford this summer.
Wissa, who mainly operates as a centre-forward but can also play as a left winger, scored 20 goals for Brentford last season across all competitions.
The 28-year-old DR Congo star was linked to Tottenham last month, with Spurs now under the management of former Bees boss Thomas Frank.
But Pearce feels Wissa would be a ‘major asset’ for the likes of United and Arsenal if they were to recruit him in the current summer transfer window.
‘There’s no doubt Manchester United and Arsenal would have been looking at Yoane Wissa,’ Pearce told BoyleSports, who offer the latest Premier League odds.
Get personalised updates on Manchester United every day
Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro’s Football Newsletter.
Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link so we can send you football news tailored to you.
‘When you look at the season he had last year, he was magnificent. The goals he’s delivered while playing with width and playing down the middle as well.
‘That’s a major asset for any football club and the fact that Nottingham Forest have moved the odd player on recently, along with other sides in the division, you would think that by the time the season starts, he might well have moved on [from Brentford].’
What is Wissa’s price tag this summer?
It’s reported that Brentford want at least £50m to even consider selling Wissa before the start of the 2025-26 campaign.
Wissa has played a total of 137 Premier League games for Brentford to date, registering 45 goals and 13 assists.
He joined the Bees four years ago from French side Lorient and Wissa is under contract at the Gtech Community Stadium until June 2026, with the option to extend the deal for a further year.
Pearce urges Arsenal star to snub Newcastle
Meanwhile, Pearce has advised current Arsenal star Ethan Nwaneri, 18, to snub a move to Newcastle United in the summer transfer window.
‘Ethan Nwaneri to Newcastle? If I was advising the player, I would advise him to stay at Arsenal and fight for his place for another year because of his age,’ Pearce added.
‘Or alternatively, go to a club that you’re not gambling on whether you’re going to get in the first team or not.
‘What he needs to do is play 30 plus games next season and be a regular starter.
‘I’m not sure that at Newcastle he’d get those 30 starts, we’re not talking about 30 games coming off the bench.
‘That is key for the correct move for him.’
