Newcastle United are set to add fresh firepower up front this month, with at least one forward deal already agreed. The club are targeting two new strikers before the September 1 deadline, as they seek cover for Callum Wilson and prepare for the possible departure of Alexander Isak, who is pushing for a move to Liverpool.
Yoane Wissa is high on the list as a Wilson replacement, while other names linked include Goncalo Ramos, Jorgen Strand Larsen, Nicolas Jackson, and Samu Aghehowa. However, one move is already sealed. Georgian teenager Vakhtang Salia will officially join from Dinamo Tbilisi when he turns 18 on August 30.
Despite being just 17, Salia has 59 senior appearances and eight goals to his name. Newcastle plan to loan him out next season, though the final decision on his immediate future is still pending. Recent young recruits have taken different paths Antonio Cordero was quickly loaned to Westerlo, while Park Seung-soo was involved in first-team pre-season action and even named on the bench for the Premier League opener.
Salia expressed his excitement at the move, saying: “It’s my dream to play at St James’ Park. It’s a big challenge and motivation for me to step outside Georgia and test myself in Europe.”
With the transfer now days away from becoming official, Salia posted on Instagram from the streets of Newcastle, showing his mother carrying a Newcastle United club store bag near the Quayside. He also penned a farewell to Dinamo Tbilisi, thanking the club where he came through every age group and made his senior breakthrough, while promising to give everything in his next chapter.
