Brentford Makes Club-Record Signing with £42m Deal for Dango Ouattara

Brentford FC confirms club-record signing of Dango Ouattara from Bournemouth in a £42m deal, potentially paving way for Yoane Wissa's departure.

Brentford has made a bold move, signing 23-year-old Dango Ouattara from Bournemouth for a club-record £42.5 million, potentially paving the way for Yoane Wissa's departure. Ouattara, a Burkina Faso international, brings significant Premier League experience, having scored 11 goals in 88 appearances for the Cherries since joining from Lorient in 2023.

Key Details of the Transfer:

• Transfer Fee: £42.5 million, making it a club-record deal for Brentford, surpassing the £30 million spent on Igor Thiago last year.

• Contract: Ouattara has signed a five-year contract with an option for an additional year.

• Player Profile: The 23-year-old forward scored nine goals in 37 appearances last season and is seen as a replacement for Bryan Mbeumo, who joined Manchester United in July.

• Potential Impact: Brentford manager Keith Andrews believes Ouattara will complement their existing forward line and excite fans with his playing style.

Brentford FC has confirmed the signing of Dango Ouattara from Bournemouth in a club-record deal worth £42.5 million, surpassing the £30 million spent on Igor Thiago last year. The 23-year-old Burkina Faso international brings significant Premier League experience, having scored 11 goals in 88 appearances for the Cherries since joining from Lorient in 2023.

Adding to our attack 💫

Welcome to Brentford, Dango Ouattara ❤️🐝 pic.twitter.com/Loy2WHfcim

— Brentford FC (@BrentfordFC) August 16, 2025

“We're really happy to get Dango in,” said Brentford boss Keith Andrews. “He's someone that we were aware of and surprised could be available, and once we knew that signing him might be a possibility, we really focused on trying to get him in.” Andrews' comments highlight the club's enthusiasm for the signing, which is expected to bolster their attacking lineup.

“We liked his Premier League experience, even at his young age, and he just hasn’t found the rhythm yet because of a lack of consistent game time.”

Brentford is facing a significant exodus after a successful 10th-place finish in the Premier League last season. The club has already lost key personnel, including manager Thomas Frank, who surprisingly joined Tottenham Hotspur, top scorer Bryan Mbeumo, who transferred to Manchester United for £71 million, and captain Christian Norgaard, who signed with Arsenal. Now, there's speculation about DR Congo international Yoane Wissa potentially joining the exodus, with Newcastle United reportedly interested in signing him.

Brentford's Stance on Wissa

• Not for Sale: Despite Newcastle's interest and a reported £25 million bid, which was rejected, Brentford has made it clear that Wissa is not for sale. The club believes his value has increased after Mbeumo's departure and wants to retain him, especially given his significant contribution to their attacking identity last season.

• Importance to the Team: Wissa scored 19 Premier League goals last season, and losing him, after already shipping out Mbeumo and Norgaard, could severely impact the team's performance. Brentford's reluctance to sell Wissa is not just about the potential transfer fee but also about maintaining squad stability.

Newcastle's Interest

Secondary Option: Newcastle is said to view Wissa as a secondary option to Alexander Isak, with another target being Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig. This might affect the seriousness of their pursuit.

Wissa's Availability: Despite Brentford's stance, Wissa didn't feature in their opening match against Nottingham Forest due to uncertainty over his future. Manager Keith Andrews has expressed his desire for Wissa to stay but acknowledges the player's situation.

Impact on the Team:

Replacement for Mbeumo: Ouattara is expected to fill the gap left by Bryan Mbeumo's departure to Manchester United

Attacking Options: His versatility as a winger and striker will complement Brentford's existing forward line

Fan Expectations: Fans anticipate exciting performances from Ouattara, given his skills and Premier League experience