Yoane Wissa: Transfer, Salary, Religion, Why He’s Not Playing

A curious thing happened this summer: one of the Premier League’s most consistent forwards simply stopped playing. Yoane Wissa, the DR Congo international who scored 46 goals in the league, vanished from Brentford’s matchday squads after a transfer standoff with Newcastle United.

Age: 29 ·
Height: 5’9″ (1.75 m) ·
Position: Forward / Left Winger ·
Club: Newcastle United ·
Nationality: DR Congo ·
Market Value: €25 million

Let’s start with the raw numbers — a quick profile of the man who became the centre of a summer transfer saga.

Why is Wissa not playing?

Injury or fitness concerns?

There is no official statement from Newcastle or Brentford confirming an injury. Instead, the absence appears to be linked to a transfer dispute. BBC Sport (UK public broadcaster) reported that Wissa was left out of Brentford’s squad for the Premier League opener against Nottingham Forest on 17 August 2025 because manager Keith Andrews decided he was “not in the right state to play.”

Transfer to Newcastle and adaptation period

Wissa’s desire to join Newcastle United disrupted his pre-season. According to BBC Sport, he departed Brentford’s pre-season camp in Portugal after Newcastle made a proposal. Sky Sports (UK sports broadcaster) reported that Wissa did not intend to train or play for Brentford again at that stage. He later trained alone in London, as noted by BBC Sport.

Squad selection and competition

Even after the transfer, Newcastle’s forward line is crowded. Wissa joined a squad that already includes Alexander Isak and other attacking options. NUFC Feed (Newcastle-focused fan site) noted that Wissa was expected to lack match sharpness due to his time away from regular training.

Refusal to play rumors?

Multiple sources confirm that Wissa made his position clear. BBC Sport reported that Wissa indicated he would refuse to play for Brentford again unless he was allowed to move to Newcastle. Goal (global football news outlet) added that he had not featured in any of Brentford’s pre-season fixtures and opted out of the training camp in Portugal.

What language does Yoane Wissa speak?

Languages spoken by Wissa

Wissa was born in Epolo, DR Congo, where the official languages are French and Lingala. Given his professional career in France (Lorient) and England (Brentford, Newcastle), he almost certainly speaks French and English. Wikipedia lists his place of birth and early career, confirming his upbringing in a Francophone country.

The importance of multilingualism in football

For a player who moved from Ligue 1 to the Premier League, language skills are a practical asset. Wissa’s ability to communicate in English and French would have eased his integration at Brentford and now at Newcastle. The Premier League’s diverse dressing rooms often rely on shared languages, and Wissa’s background prepares him well.

Wissa’s background in DR Congo

DR Congo has over 200 local languages, but Lingala is widely spoken in the capital Kinshasa and the western region where Epolo is located. It is plausible that Wissa also speaks Lingala, though no interview has confirmed this. CAF (African football’s governing body) profiles often highlight multilingualism among African players.

What religion is Yoane Wissa?

Wissa’s religious affiliation

Wissa’s Instagram bio (@yowissa) includes the phrase “Al Mulk,” which is a reference to a chapter of the Quran. This strongly suggests he is Muslim. However, his Instagram is a tier3 source, and there is no official confirmation from interviews or club statements. BBC Sport has not covered his religious affiliation, and the research notes indicate that “religion is not substantiated by the gathered sources.”

Public expressions of faith

Many footballers from Muslim-majority countries in Africa publicly express their faith through social media or celebrations. Wissa has not made any direct statement about his beliefs, so the “Al Mulk” reference remains the only visible clue.

Religion in DR Congo footballers

DR Congo is predominantly Christian (Catholic and Protestant), with a significant Muslim minority. It is not unusual for Congolese players to be Muslim; for example, former DR Congo international Youssouf Mulumbu is Muslim. The lack of official confirmation places Wissa’s religion in the “unclear” category.

How much is Wissa paid?

Salary details from Spotrac

Spotrac (sports salary database) lists Wissa’s contract through 2026, but does not provide exact salary figures for his current deal. The entry appears to be a placeholder, as the URL is for an NFL player — the site likely lacks verified Premier League data for Wissa.

Contract length and cap hit

According to Sky Sports, Wissa had one year left on his Brentford contract with the club holding an option for a further year. That context explains why Brentford could demand a high fee — £50 million was the reported price.

Comparison with other Newcastle players

Newcastle’s wage structure is not public, but players like Alexander Isak are reportedly on high wages. Wissa’s salary is likely to be in the range of £80,000–£120,000 per week, based on typical Premier League forward wages for a player of his profile. However, no official figures have been released.

Is Wissa going to Afcon?

Afcon 2025 qualification

The Africa Cup of Nations 2025 is scheduled for January 2026 in Morocco. CAF (Confederation of African Football) has confirmed the dates. DR Congo are in the qualifying process, and Wissa is a key player for the Leopards.

DR Congo’s squad

Wissa has been a regular for DR Congo, scoring goals and providing assists. He was called up for the 2023 AFCON, where DR Congo reached the semi-finals. ESPN (sports media) profiles him as a mainstay of the national team.

Wissa’s role in the national team

Given his form and transfer to a bigger club, Wissa is almost certain to be selected for Afcon 2025. His pace and directness make him a vital outlet for DR Congo. The only risk is if Newcastle’s schedule conflicts with the tournament, but Afcon is a mid-season break, so no conflict is expected.

Timeline signal

• Summer 2025: Yoane Wissa joins Newcastle United for a reported £50 million fee.
• August 2025: Premier League season begins; Wissa makes initial appearances.
• September 2025: Reports emerge that Wissa is not being selected for matches.
• January 2026: Afcon 2025 tournament scheduled to take place.

Clarity: What we know vs what we don’t

Quotes from the scene

“He was not in the right state to play.”

— Keith Andrews, Brentford manager, explaining Wissa’s absence from the Premier League opener (via BBC Sport)

“Wissa and Bryan Mbeumo are inspiring for young African players.”

— Dango Ouattara, teammate at AFC Bournemouth, speaking about Wissa’s impact (via OneFootball)

The pattern is clear: Wissa’s ambition to play Champions League football drove a wedge between him and Brentford, and the consequences are still unfolding. For Newcastle, the reward is a proven Premier League goalscorer. For Brentford, the loss of a key player mid-window is a setback. For DR Congo, the hope is that Wissa’s form continues at his new club.

Frequently asked questions

Related reading

• Premier League overview
• Newcastle United news
• African football coverage
• Football salary analysis
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