Arsenal Pursues Georgian Talent Andria Bartishvili Amidst European Interest

Arsenal have stepped up their pursuit of highly rated Georgian midfielder Andria Bartishvili with a pre-contract offer, as the teenager weighs up interest from some of Europe’s biggest clubs.

According to BBC reporter Sami Mokbel, the Gunners have formally placed a pre-contract proposal on the table, aiming to bring Bartishvili to north London towards the end of 2026, when his current deal expires.

They are not alone in the chase. Liverpool and Juventus are also credited with an interest, leaving the 17-year-old with serious decisions to make about the next stage of his career.

Micheli leads Arsenal’s push

Inside Arsenal, the move is being driven by Maurizio Micheli, a key figure in the club’s recruitment structure. He has pushed hard for the club to act early, and the pre-contract offer is the clearest sign yet that Arsenal want to get ahead of their rivals.

Mokbel previously revealed that Micheli travelled to watch Bartishvili in person, scouting him during Iberia 1999’s Champions League qualifier against Flora.

Bartishvili is currently on loan at Iberia 1999, but his parent club is FC Kolkheti, with both sides competing in Georgia’s domestic system.

Contract timing and eligibility

The pursuit comes with complications. Georgian football runs on a calendar-year season, so Bartishvili’s loan at Iberia 1999 is not due to end until December.

On top of that, while Arsenal can position themselves now with a pre-contract offer, the midfielder may not be able to formally sign for the club until March 2027, when he turns 18. Any agreement would therefore be a long-term play, banking on his continued development over the next two years.

Rising influence for club and country

On the pitch, Bartishvili has begun to justify the growing noise around his name.

For Iberia, he has produced two goals and three assists in 24 appearances, with all five goal contributions arriving since he forced his way into the starting XI at the start of May. Once he got his chance, he made it count.

His rise has been mirrored on the international stage. Bartishvili has already represented Georgia at u16, u17, u19 and u21 level, a rapid climb through the age groups that underlines how highly he is regarded back home.

In June, he scored twice in two games for the Georgia u19s, adding end product to the promise that has attracted the attention of Arsenal, Liverpool and Juventus.

Now the question is simple: with Europe’s elite lining up, whose project will convince one of Georgia’s brightest young talents to commit the prime years of his career?