Newcastle have “one of the best teen prospects in the world” and he could be Isak 2.0

The summer transfer window can often feel like a rollercoaster for a football club, full of unexpected twists and turns.

For Newcastle United, the ride ended with the biggest dip of all: the departure of their superstar striker, Alexander Isak, to Liverpool on deadline day.

For a fee of £130 million, a British record, the Magpies had little choice but to agree, as the Swedish international had made it clear throughout the summer that his heart was set on a new challenge.

While the financial gain was enormous, the emotional and sporting loss felt just as big. Isak was not just a goal scorer; he was the focal point of the attack, a player who seemed irreplaceable.

Losing a player of that caliber so late in the window could have been a disaster. It certainly seemed to disrupt the team’s early rhythm, with the squad managing to pick up just two points from their first three Premier League fixtures.

The noise and uncertainty surrounding the transfer saga were undeniable distractions. However, while the focus was on who was leaving, the club’s management had been working quietly and efficiently on a plan for the future.

And now, with the window closed, that plan is coming into view. It is a multi-layered strategy that does not rely on one single player to fill the void, but on a collective effort to move forward.

The most direct replacement for Isak is the new club-record signing, Nick Woltemade. The 23-year-old German international arrives from Stuttgart for a fee of £69 million.

While he may not be a household name yet, his credentials are incredibly exciting. In the Bundesliga last season, he scored 12 goals from just 17 starts, a rate that immediately catches the eye.

But it is not just about the numbers. Those who have watched him play consistently talk about his silky movement on the pitch and his incredible technical control of the ball.

One European football expert called his depth of quality “absolutely ridiculous.” He will need some time to adapt to the pace and physicality of the Premier League, but he possesses all the raw materials to grow into a world-class option for manager Eddie Howe, much like Isak did before him.

Furthermore, Newcastle’s attack is not a one-man show. The presence of the proven Premier League forward Yoane Wissa, who was signed earlier in the window, will be crucial.

While Woltemade may be the long-term heir to Isak’s role, Wissa provides a prolific and experienced partner who knows exactly where the goal is.

Together, they have the potential to collectively replicate the 27 goals Isak contributed last season. It is about the sum of the parts, and Newcastle’s attacking parts now look very promising.

Perhaps the most exciting part of Newcastle’s strategy, however, is their investment in the future. The club’s academy has improved dramatically, and they are now successfully competing with European giants for the most coveted young talents in the game.

This is where the story gets really interesting, because Newcastle may have already found their next Alexander Isak. His name is Vakhtang Salia, an 18-year-old sensation from Georgia.

The fact that Newcastle managed to beat out competition from footballing powerhouses like Bayern Munich and Real Madrid to sign him from Dinamo Tbilisi last month tells you everything you need to know about his potential.

This was not a random punt on a young player; this was a strategic victory in a fierce battle for a future star.

So, what kind of player is Salia? Like a young Isak, he is tactically dynamic and versatile. He possesses great pace and technical skill, which allows him to play effectively both as a central striker and out on the left wing.

Scouts have praised his “very high work-rate,” a trait that will endear him to Eddie Howe and the Newcastle fans. The statistics from his early career show a player who is still developing his final product but is already contributing across the front line.

While it is too early to put the immense pressure of being “the next Isak” on his young shoulders, he is walking into the perfect environment. Eddie Howe has proven himself to be a master at developing young talent and shaping them into top-tier Premier League players.

With a clear pathway to the first team now more open than ever, Salia has the perfect platform to grow. He is, as one journalist noted, “one of the best teenage prospects in the world,” and he is now a Newcastle United player. The post-Isak era might be just beginning, but the future looks incredibly bright.

Salia – Career Stats by Position
Position	Apps	Goals	Assists
Centre-Forward	34	6	1
Left Winger	22	2	3
Right Winger	4	1	0
Attacking Midfield	1	0	0
Stats via Transfermarkt