Center Forward teases imminent Newcastle move by posting iconic city centre location

While Newcastle United’s search for a first-team striker continues to dominate the headlines, the club has quietly finalized a deal for the future, securing talented Georgian forward Vakhtang Salia from Dinamo Tbilisi.

The 17-year-old is set to officially join the Magpies upon his 18th birthday on August 30th, adding a promising young name to Eddie Howe’s attacking options.

This signing, however, exists separately from the ongoing and complex Alexander Isak situation. The club’s firm stance remains unchanged: they will only grant Isak’s desired move to Liverpool after securing two new senior strikers.

A move for Brentford’s Yoane Wissa is progressing, though he is viewed as a direct replacement for the departed Callum Wilson, not for Isak.

This means even if Wissa arrives, the hunt for another forward with names like Gonçalo Ramos, Jørgen Strand Larsen, Nicolas Jackson, and Samu Aghehowa linked must still bear fruit.

Salia’s arrival does not solve this immediate first-team puzzle. Despite his youth, he brings surprising experience, having already made 59 senior appearances for Dinamo Tbilisi, netting eight goals.

After agreeing to a professional contract and even meeting with head coach Eddie Howe during a visit last season, the immediate plan for Salia is likely a loan move away from Tyneside.

The club’s head of strategy, Jack Ross, is reportedly tasked with finding a suitable club where the youngster can continue his development, mirroring the path of summer signing Antonio Cordero, who was quickly loaned to Belgian side Westerlo.

The Georgian prodigy has already arrived in Newcastle, subtly announcing his presence with a social media post from the city’s Quayside.

An Instagram story featured his mother carrying a Newcastle United store bag, a quiet but exciting tease for fans of the impending official announcement.

Salia has also publicly bid a heartfelt farewell to his boyhood club, Dinamo Tbilisi, expressing immense gratitude for his development there while looking ahead to the next chapter.

“The moment has come when I have to say goodbye to my home club,” Salia stated. “It’s not easy, but I know it’s part of football and a new phase of my career ahead. I learned everything I know now at this club, and I’m very grateful to everyone I’ve met along the way.”

His excitement about joining Newcastle is palpable. He previously told the club website, “The first time I heard it I could not believe it. It was big news for me. It’s my dream to play [at St James’ Park] and I think it’s everyone’s dream to play there. It’s a big challenge for me and I have motivation to play outside of Georgia.”

While Salia may not be the striker signing fans are desperately waiting for, his acquisition is a clear signal of the club’s commitment to building for the long term.

He represents another shrewd investment in high-potential talent, carefully planned to integrate him into the first-team picture in the years to come.

For now, all eyes remain on the senior striker search, but the future looks bright with youngsters like Salia and South Korean winger Park Seung-soo, who was on the bench for the season opener at Aston Villa, waiting in the wings.