Arsenal Pursue Georgian Talent Andria Bartishvili as Liverpool and Juventus Circle

Arsenal have stepped up their pursuit of highly rated Georgian midfielder Andria Bartishvili, tabling a pre-contract offer as they try to steal a march on Liverpool and Juventus.

According to BBC reporter Sami Mokbel, the Gunners have formally put their proposal to the teenager, aiming to bring him to north London once his current deal runs down towards the end of 2026. The race, though, is far from over. Bartishvili is understood to be weighing up other options, with Liverpool and Juventus both tracking his progress.

Micheli leads Arsenal charge

Inside Arsenal, this is not a casual scouting note. Maurizio Micheli is driving the move, pushing the club to act early on a player they believe can grow into a major asset.

Mokbel previously revealed that Micheli travelled to watch Bartishvili in person, taking in Iberia 1999’s Champions League qualifier against Flora. Bartishvili is currently on loan at Iberia 1999 from parent club FC Kolkheti, with both sides competing in the Georgian football pyramid.

The structure of Georgian football complicates any deal. Their season runs on a calendar-year basis, so Bartishvili’s loan at Iberia is set to continue until December. On top of that, he may not be able to officially sign for Arsenal until March 2027, when he turns 18, even if an agreement is in place well before then.

Breakthrough year in Georgia

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

For Iberia 1999, the Georgia youth international has produced two goals and three assists in 24 appearances. All five of those goal contributions have come since he forced his way into the starting XI at the beginning of May, a surge that has clearly sharpened the focus of Europe’s elite.

His rise has been mirrored on the international stage. Bartishvili has already represented Georgia at u16, u17, u19, and u21 level, an unusually rapid climb through the age groups. He caught the eye with the u19s in June, scoring twice in two games and underlining his potential as an attacking threat from midfield.

A long game for a long-term bet

This is not a transfer that will deliver instant headlines at the Emirates. The timelines are awkward, the regulations tight, and the competition fierce.

But Arsenal have moved first, and decisively. The question now is simple: when Bartishvili finally chooses his path, will it lead to north London or somewhere else in Europe’s elite tier?