Andria Bartishvili (foto: Twitter)
Arsenal have agreed a €4.5m deal for 17-year-old Georgian winger Andria Bartishvili, beating Liverpool in the race for one of the country's biggest young talents.
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Arsenal have continued their aggressive recruitment of Europe's best young players by reaching an agreement to sign 17-year-old Georgian winger Andria Bartishvili for around €4.5m.
The deal was first reported by Georgian outlet Geo Team and later confirmed by Fabrizio Romano. Bartishvili is expected to travel to London early next week for a medical before signing a five-year contract with the Premier League champions.
However, Arsenal supporters will have to wait before seeing him in England. Due to FIFA regulations concerning international transfers of minors, Bartishvili cannot immediately move to London. He turns 18 in March and is expected to officially join Arsenal in July 2027.
Arsenal beat Liverpool to Georgian talent
Arsenal's scouting department has monitored Bartishvili for some time, while Liverpool were also following his development. The Gunners eventually moved first and secured an agreement for a player regarded as one of Georgia's most exciting prospects.
Bartishvili belongs to Kolkheti-1913 Poti but is currently on loan at Iberia 1999 in Tbilisi. He has already gained European experience in the Europa League qualifiers, while Iberia will also compete in the Conference League league phase this season, including a meeting with Red Star Belgrade.
Already being compared to Kvaratskhelia
The young winger has attracted attention with his speed, dribbling and direct attacking style from the left flank. His performances have inevitably produced comparisons in Georgia with the country's biggest football star, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
Bartishvili is already playing for Georgia's U21 national team despite being only 17, and is considered a future senior international.
If the reported €4.5m fee is confirmed, the transfer will become one of the biggest outgoing deals in Georgian league history. The record remains Kvaratskhelia's €13.3m move from Dinamo Batumi to Napoli in 2022, but Arsenal are clearly betting that Georgia may have produced another special winger.