Arsenal Pursues Andria Bartishvili with Pre-Contract Offer
Arsenal have stepped up their pursuit of Georgian teenager Andria Bartishvili, tabling a pre-contract offer as they move early in a battle with Liverpool and Juventus for one of Eastern Europe’s most intriguing young midfielders.
Arsenal move first for Bartishvili
Sami Mokbel reports for the BBC that Arsenal have formally submitted a pre-contract proposal to Bartishvili, with the plan to bring him to north London towards the end of 2026, when his current deal runs out.
The 17-year-old, however, is in no rush to commit. He is understood to have other options on the table, with Liverpool and Juventus both tracking his progress and credited with an interest. The decision on his next step remains his to make.
Inside Arsenal, Maurizio Micheli is leading the push. The recruitment figurehead has been driving the club’s move for Bartishvili and has now turned long-term admiration into a concrete offer.
Micheli was previously spotted in the stands watching Bartishvili for Iberia 1999 in a Champions League qualifier against Flora, underlining just how closely Arsenal are monitoring his development.
A rising talent in Georgia
Bartishvili is currently on loan at Iberia 1999 from parent club FC Kolkheti, with both sides competing in the Georgian football league structure.
Because Georgian football runs on a calendar-year season, his loan at Iberia 1999 is scheduled to run until December. Any immediate move is off the table, and the timelines are even more complicated for Arsenal.
Bartishvili does not turn 18 until March 2027, which means he may not be able to officially sign for the Premier League side until then, even if a pre-contract agreement is in place.
On the pitch, his impact has grown rapidly. The Georgia u21 international has produced two goals and three assists in 24 appearances for Iberia, with all five goal contributions coming after he broke into the starting XI at the start of May. Once he earned his place, he started to shape games.
His rise has been steady through the national team pathway as well. Bartishvili has already represented Georgia at u16, u17, u19 and u21 level. He caught the eye in June for the u19s, scoring twice in two matches and reinforcing the sense that his ceiling is high.
Arsenal have made their move. Liverpool and Juventus are lurking. The next decision belongs to a teenager in Georgia whose choice could define the next decade of his career.
