Newcastle United have crushed a number of European giants to the signing of Georgian wonderkid Vakhtang Salia, in line with reviews.
Nonetheless solely 17 years outdated, Salia has already performed 31 instances for Dinamo Tbilisi’s senior time, scoring six instances, together with discovering the web Uefa Convention League qualifier in opposition to Mornar Bar this season.
The teenage striker is considered one of his nation’s most highly-rated kids and was named this month in The Guardian’s Subsequent Era checklist of prime gamers born in 2007.
“Regardless of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Georges Mikautadze and Giorgi Mamardashvili being of their early 20s, Salia has been hailed by some as the way forward for Georgian soccer, and never with out purpose,” Scout and Jap European soccer knowledgeable Artur Petrosyan wrote.
Making a surprising comparability to Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard, he added: “He possesses all of the qualities of a prime attacking participant – he’s technically gifted, has explosive acceleration and a pointy eye for objective.
“However maybe much more spectacular is his imaginative and prescient. His Steven Gerrard-like long-range passing, mixed along with his skill to ship crosses and thru balls, makes him an excellent workforce participant – a high quality that stands out at his age. Has been deployed as a winger or false 9 by his membership, and as a No 10 on his debut for Georgia Below-21s on the age of 16 this summer season.”
Newcastle win the race for Vakhtang Salia
Given Petrosyan’s appraisal, it’s little surprise that Salia is attracting a lot consideration.
Nonetheless, plainly Newcastle have gained the race to signal this teenage prodigy.
In response to HITC, the Magpies have seen off competitors from the likes of Actual Madrid, Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund to safe Salia’s signature.
Napoli have been additionally understood to be monitoring Salia, who will be part of Newcastle in August 2015 when he turns 18 years outdated.
Till then, he’ll proceed to clock up senior minutes for Dinamo Tbilisi, gaining invaluable expertise forward of his journey into English soccer.
Manchester Metropolis and Arsenal have additionally been linked with Salia prior to now, additional highlighting how nicely Newcastle have accomplished to carry {the teenager} on board.
