NEW BLOOD
Newcastle swoop for wonderkid, 17, dubbed ‘best of his generation’ after beating Europe’s elite in race to sign forward
There's a twist to the transfer despite terms being agreed
NEWCASTLE are set to swoop for Georgian wonderkid Vakhtang Salia - a teen dubbed “the best in his generation”.
The Magpies have agreed terms with Dinamo Tbilisi for the 17-year-old, who has already scored in the Uefa Europa Conference League.
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The Georgia U21 international can play as both a centre-forward and attacking midfielder, and has made 27 first-team appearances already.
A host of Europe’s top clubs have been monitoring his progress but it is Newcastle who have won the race to land him.
Salia has agreed terms to join the Premier League giants in January - but the Toon Army will have to wait a while to catch a glimpse of him.
The ace will remain with Dinamo Tbilisi for the rest of the season before heading to Tyneside next summer.
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Uefa Elite Scout Mikha Gabechava, now at KAA Gent, was at Dinamo when the ace was first noticed.
And he says he has every key ingredient to make it big at St. James’ Park.
He said: “Absolutely. I think it will take time, maybe two or three seasons, but I definitely think he has enough potential to reach that level. He is the best in his generation.”
Gabechava added to Magpie Media: “There are two things in particular that I love about him.
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“One is the fact that he never stops when his team is out of possession - he’s so aggressive in pressing and contributes well to a high press.
“That's something that you won't see very frequently from such a young player (especially from Georgia), but it's also a crucial attribute for a physically demanding division like the Premier League.
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“And his ball-striking ability - wow, he connects very well with the ball, shoots with great power with both feet.
“I believe that he has the striker's instinct which could make him a great poacher in the future.”
Salia will become the second Georgian after Temuri Ketsbaia to pull on the Black and White Stripes.
Meanwhile Kieran Trippier is desperate to leave the North East and has three clubs ready to help him go.
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