Newcastle United have successfully secured the signing of Georgian teenage prodigy Vakhtang Salia, who has been dubbed the ‘next Kvicha Kvaratskhelia’, Soccernet.football understands.
The 17-year-old rising star, currently playing for Dinamo Tbilisi, will officially join the Magpies once he turns 18, according to FootMercato.
The Magpies beat intense competition from some of Europe’s biggest clubs, including Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Arsenal, Manchester City, and Liverpool, all of whom had expressed interest in signing Salia earlier this year.
However, Newcastle’s recent track record of nurturing young, emerging talent played a significant role in convincing the Georgian starlet to move to St James’ Park.
Recent success stories, such as the development of Garang Kuol and Yankuba Minteh, have highlighted the club’s commitment to investing in youth.
While Newcastle are backed by wealthy Saudi Arabian owners, they are being careful to balance their books, especially with new financial regulations.
Instead of splashing large sums on established stars, the club has taken a more measured approach, targeting young players with immense potential. The acquisition of Salia is a continuation of this strategy.
Salia, who has drawn comparisons to Napoli’s Kvicha Kvaratskhelia, is expected to remain at Dinamo Tbilisi for one more season, allowing him to continue his development before making the switch to Newcastle.
With a bright future ahead, the young attacker could become a key player for the Magpies in the coming years, bolstering their attacking options as they continue to build for success.