The new Kvaratskhelia? Arsenal set to sign Georgian wonderkid Andria Bartishvili

Arsenal have reportedly agreed a €4.5 million deal to sign Georgian talent Andria Bartishvili from Kolkheti-1913 Poti. The teenager is currently on loan to FC Iberia 1999 Tbilisi, where he has scored two goals and assisted two more in 16 appearances. Per Fabrizio Romano, Bartishvili will travel to London next week to undergo a medical ahead of signing a five-year contract.

The left winger has been tracked by Arsenal scouts since joining on loan in January 2026, with recruitment specialist Marizio Micheli keeping a watchful eye of the youngster. Under FIFA rules, he is prevented from joining a foreign club until he turns 18 in March, after which he is expected to link up with the Gunners in July 2027.

Bartishvili, who already plays for Georgia's Under-21 team and has been backed to make the step up to the senior team, has featured for Iberia 1999 in the UEFA Europa League qualifying rounds before their exit to Jagiellonia Bialystok.

Comparisons with Kvaratskhelia

His nimble dribbling style and direct running from the left has drawn comparisons to Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who has been linked with a move to Arsenal in recent times. Instead, they will now look to develop one of the country's biggest hopes with the view of unveiling him on the big stage in the years to come.

It represents the second-most expensive transfer departure in the history of the Georgian Erovnuli Liga, surpassed only by Kvaratskhelia's €13.3m move from Dinamo Batumi to Napoli in 2022. Bartishvili will also become the 16th-most expensive Georgian of all time ahead of Giorgi Kochorashvili and national hero Shota Arveladze.