Paul Merson on Woltemade, Wissa and ultimate test after £125m 'swap'

On paper, Newcastle United have had a quietly brilliant transfer window in terms of quality new additions made to the squad that finished 5th last season.

Signing the likes of Nick Woltemade, Anthony Elanga and Yoane Wissa, we’ve improved in key areas within the squad and hopefully given Eddie Howe the tools to succeed once again this campaign.

Of course, only time will tell as to whether or not we’ve made the right decision is signing these attackers as direct replacements for Callum Wilson and Alexander Isak.

The spotlight will be on Woltemade and Wissa more than anyone else, with Paul Merson highlighting it as something to keep an eye on this season.

Merson: Can £125m duo outscore £125 Isak?

It’s perhaps a testament to how absurd this summer has been that our club record signing of Nick Woltemade doesn’t even crack the top five most expensive signings made this window.

The 6ft 6" German arrives after netting 17 goals for Stuttgart last season, despite his run of starts only coming from December (2024) onwards, while Yoane Wissa bagged 20 goals in all competitions for Brentford last term.

With sold striker Alexander Isak scoring 23 times over 2024/25 and released Callum Wilson managing just one striker in 22, Paul Merson feels Newcastle's striker moves will be defined on whether our new duo can combine to better Isak's tally.

Speaking on Sky Sports about our two new strikers, Merson said:

“Eddie Howe will be hoping that the two lads score more goals than Isak, and I think we’ll all be looking at that.”

“At the end of the season it’ll come down to ‘Can the two at Newcastle outscore Isak?’

"And if they do, they made the right decision.”

Only Mo Salah scored more non-penalty goals than Wissa last season, while Woltemade was the top scorer at the U21 Euros, continuing his stunning form in 2025.

If Howe can get the pair similarly consistent to last season, then there’s no excuse for them not to better the 24 goals scored between Isak and Wilson over 2024/25.

Victory for Wissa and Isak, but big loss for football?

As much as Wissa was needed up on Tyneside this summer, how the move has transpired has certainly attracted its critics.

Though Brentford certainly didn’t make things easy by reneging on supposed gentlemen’s agreements and constantly upping their asking price, Wissa publicly demanding a move to Newcastle was far from admirable behaviour.

Like Isak and his own antics, the fact both players got the move they wanted sets a dangerous precedent for future windows. On the two saga, Merson commented:

"“It’s not good for football is it? The problem is they’re told (by their agents). They’re told what to do (to get the move they want).

"For me, I don’t like it, it won’t be the last time it ever happens.”

Ultimately, we just have to accept the situation and embrace the fact Wissa was so adamant about joining us in a window when far too many players and their agents ended up at 'big six' sides instead of St James' Park.

It wasn't a great look for Wissa, but his statement did insist that a 'written agreement' was in place with Brentford earlier in the summer to let him leave and he has been training with the first team, unlike a certain Swede.