Paul Mitchell wasn’t lying when he announced Newcastle United had got “ahead of a number of other top clubs” to sign Vakhtang Salia.
It was confirmed earlier this week that the Magpies had completed a deal to sign the young Georgian. He will officially join when he turns 18 in August next year.
And that represents a major coup for Newcastle and sporting director Mitchell, who referenced the importance of recruiting top young prospects in a world of Premier League Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR).
“We’re delighted to get ahead of a number of other top clubs to sign Vakhtang,” said Mitchell. “Scouting and recruiting emerging talent is an essential part of building a sustainable future, particularly within the current PSR framework, so the market is fiercely competitive.
“We continue to scout extensively, both domestically and overseas, with a view to securing players who can come through our talent pathway and, ideally, become part of the first team in future.
“We look forward to working with Vakhtang and wish him every success during his remaining time with Dinamo Tbilisi.”
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There has been a lot of excitement around the teenage forward since he broke through at Dinamo Tbilisi – the team famed for developing Napoli star Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Liverpool goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili – last November.
During that time, several European clubs have scouted Salia and NewcastleWorld has learned that the race for his signature boiled down to Newcastle and Arsenal. The Gunners, at one stage, thought they had came out on top and are understood to be very disappointed at missing out.
Salia will remain with Dinamo until his journey begins in England. Newcastle know that getting his development right is crucial, and that may include following in the footsteps of Yankuba Minteh and recently Miodrag Pivas by spending the first year out on loan.
