Arsenal have agreed a deal to sign 17-year-old Georgian talent Andria Bartishvili from FC Kolkheti-1913 Poti. The Premier League champions are conducting a medical for the teenager at their Sobha Realty Training Centre this week, according to a report from Daily Mirror Football.
The transfer fee is set at €4.5 million, which converts to approximately £3.9 million. Bartishvili will officially join Arsenal in 12 months, coinciding with his 18th birthday, at which point he will sign a five-year contract with the club. He will not move to the Emirates Stadium this summer.
This news comes as Arsenal prepare for their next Premier League fixture against Chelsea at home on September 6th. The Gunners currently sit second in the table with six points from two wins, having scored four goals without conceding any.
Why is this signing significant for Arsenal?
Andria Bartishvili represents the fourth young talent Arsenal have secured ahead of a future arrival this year. He follows Victor Ozhianvuna's move from Shamrock Rovers in January and will coincide with the arrivals of Ecuadorian twins Holger and Edwin Quintero from Independiente.
The club have already made four senior signings this summer: Bruno Guimaraes, Ezri Konsa, Christos Tzolis, and Illan Meslier. This blend of immediate reinforcements and long-term planning shows Arsenal are building for sustained success as they prepare for another Premier League title challenge.
You can track the development of all Arsenal players on our squad page.
What do experts say about Bartishvili's potential?
Georgian football expert Saba Sapanadze, who runs the Geo Team platform, believes Arsenal have secured exceptional value. "I think Arsenal were very lucky to get Andria for €4.5 million," Sapanadze told Daily Mirror Football. "That only happened because he's Georgian, otherwise I genuinely believe his price would have been around €15 million to €20 million."
Sapanadze explained the reasoning behind this valuation, stating, "Why? Because he is considered one of the biggest talents in the country, alongside [Khvicha] Kvaratskhelia's brother, Tornike." This places Bartishvili among Georgia's most promising football prospects.
Where will Bartishvili fit into the Arsenal setup?
Saba Sapanadze provided realistic expectations for the teenager's immediate future. The expert said it would be unrealistic for Bartishvili to walk straight into Arsenal's first team upon his arrival next year.
Instead, Sapanadze anticipates the young Georgian will train with the senior squad initially before potentially going on loan to the Championship for regular playing time. This development path has become common for Arsenal's most promising young signings, allowing them to gain competitive experience before challenging for first-team spots.
The club's current league position of second with a perfect defensive record suggests they have the stability to integrate young talents gradually.
How does this transfer fit Arsenal's current season?
Arsenal's transfer activity continues alongside their strong start to the Premier League campaign. With six points from their opening two matches and a +4 goal difference, the champions have maintained momentum from last season's success.
The Bartishvili deal represents forward planning beyond the current campaign. While the immediate focus remains on maintaining their position near the top of the standings, securing future talent demonstrates the club's long-term vision.
Arsenal's next challenge comes against Chelsea, who currently sit fourth in the table, in what promises to be a significant early-season encounter at the Emirates Stadium. The fixture on September 6th will test Arsenal's perfect start to the season.
Andria Bartishvili will officially become an Arsenal player in 2027 when he turns 18 and signs his five-year contract.
