Arsenal is touted for having a great scouting network with Edu Gaspar and his team searching the globe for the best talent for development.
Gabriel Martinelli was signed from Ituano, a lower division Brazilian team but under the tutelage of Unai Emery and Mikel Arteta, the young Brazilian has improved leaps and bounds, making the 2022 FIFA World Cup team and increasing in prominence on the international front. The most recent highly-rated youngster Arsenal signed was Tommy Setford from Jong Ajax, who’s regarded as the long term backup for David Raya. Setford made his debut in the EFL Cup win against Preston North End, keeping a clean sheet.
In addition to Setford, Arsenal had their sights on a highly rated youngster from Dinamo Tbilisi, Vashtang Salia. Dinamo Tbilisi prides themselves in producing some of the best talents from the nation with Kvhicha Kvaratskhelia and Giorgi Mamardashvili that play in the biggest clubs in Europe.
Who is Vashtang Salia?
Vakhtang Salia of FC Dinamo Tbilisi celebrates after scoring his goal with teammate Oscar Santis during the UEFA Europa Conference League first qualifying round match between FC Dinamo Tbilisi and FC Mornar Bar at the Mikheil Meskhi Stadium on July 18, 2024 in Tbilisi, Georgia. Tbilisi Mikheil Meskhi Stadium, Ilia Chavchavadze Avenue, Upper Vake, Vake District, Tbilisi, 1062, Georgia Georgia Copyright: xArturxStabulnieksx 607889
Vashtang Salia is a 17-year-0ld Georgian forward that plays for Dinamo Tbilisi, breaking into the first team last year, after a handful of appearances in the youth setup.
In 29 games for Dinamo Tbilisi this season, Salia has scored six goals with five goals scored in the Georgian Erovnuli Liga and one goal in the Georgian Cup. Dinamo Tbilisi crashed out of the UEFA Conference League after a qualifiers loss to Montenegrin outfit, FK Mornar.
Newcastle United to sign Vashtang Salia ahead of Arsenal
Vakhtang Salia of FC Dinamo Tbilisi celebrates after scoring his goal during the Georgian football league 2024 match between FC Dinamo Tbilisi and FC Dila Gori at the Boris Paitchadze Dinamo Arena on April 3, 2024 in Tbilisi, Georgia. Tbilisi Dinamo Arena named after Boris Paichadze, Akaki Tsereteli Avenue, Didube, Tbilisi, 0154, Georgia Georgia Copyright: xArturxStabulnieksx A86I6073
Arsenal had kept tabs on Salia for quite some time and monitored his progress, but it has been reported that Newcastle United has signed the young Georgian forward. Salia will remain with Dinamo Tbilisi for one more season before joining Newcastle United next summer when he turns 18.
