Paul Mitchell is hoping Newcastle United have more success on the transfer front in 2025 than in 2024.
It has been a tough year for Newcastle United when it comes to recruitment. While fresh faces have arrived at St James’ Park, there has not been a single signing that improves Eddie Howe’s starting XI.
Newcastle know that has hurt Howe’s momentum, as he continues to work with the same group of players.
It is up to Paul Mitchell to change that, as he sets about revolutionising the way that Newcastle operate in the transfer market. Mitchell wants Newcastle to sign more players from overseas as he searches for value, while he also wants to being in more talent aimed towards the future.
Newcastle board members (L-R) Newcastle United Performance Director James Bunce, Newcastle United Sporting Director Paul Mitchell, Newcastle United...
Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images
Paul Mitchell’s role in Newcastle signing Vakhtang Salia
That is already set to happen, with Newcastle due to sign Vakhtang Salia in August 2025.
When the Georgian attacker turns 18-years-old, he will join the Magpies from Dinamo Tbilisi. Newcastle plan to loan Salia out immediately, as they set about preparing him for Premier League football in the coming years.
The hope is that Salia will eventually improve Eddie Howe’s starting XI – just not right now.
Newcastle believe they have stolen a march on Europe’s biggest clubs by snapping up the 17-year-old forward, and now the i Paper have provided an update on the Magpies agreeing a deal to sign Salia.
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According to the i Paper, it was Paul Mitchell who ‘fast-tracked’ Newcastle’s bid to sign Salia, as he personally ensured that the Magpies got a deal done.
✍️ We have completed a deal to sign highly rated Georgian forward, Vakhtang Salia from Dinamo Tbilisi.
He will officially join the club on his 18th birthday in August and will remain at Dinamo in the meantime.
Welcome to Newcastle United, Vakhtang! 🇬🇪
— Newcastle United (@NUFC) October 29, 2024
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Newcastle want to sign more players like Vakhtang Salia
In the eyes of Newcastle cult hero and fellow Georgian Temur Ketsbaia, Salia is a very ‘promising‘ player.
That is why Newcastle have moved to sign him as soon as possible, before his value sky rockets.
Salia is going to be a project player, with Newcastle well aware that they need to ensure he improves to a level that he can play first-team football or be sold for a profit. That is the model that Mitchell is aiming for, as PSR restricts Newcastle’s ability to sign readymade stars.
But it will not end with Salia. There will be more additions like this, with the i Paper claiming that Newcastle have a budget in mind for ‘project players’.
One project player who Newcastle will not sign is Josh Acheampong. He was linked with the Magpies amid uncertainty over his Chelsea future, but Acheampong has now signed a new contract at Stamford Bridge.
Elsewhere, Newcastle have scouted Bazoumana Toure, who is an 18-year-old winger that plays for Hammarby in Sweden.
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