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Arsenal are showing strong interest in Kolkheti Poti attacking midfielder Andria Bartishvili, according to reports in Georgia.
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LaGazzetta.ge claim that negotiations are “already underway”, with the Gunners having begun talks with the 17-year-old’s representatives.
Bartishvili is currently on loan at another Georgian club, Iberia 1999, and he is expected to remain there until the end of 2026.
However, that won’t concern Arsenal as he can only officially move to the UK after he turns 18, which will happen in March 2027.
What do fans need to know about Bartishvili?
The teenager came through Dinamo Tbilisi’s academy, the biggest club in Georgia, but he failed to make his first-team breakthrough there.
Bartishvili left to join Kolkheti Poti on a free transfer at the start of 2025, before making his debut as a substitute during a 2-0 defeat to FC Gagra in March the same year.
After making 20 appearances in total and grabbing his first assist against Gagra in the reverse fixture last November, it was decided that he would be loaned out to get more first-team experience.
Bartishvili made his first appearance for Iberia 1999 in March this year, and he got his first senior goal against Gagra last month.
While some may draw comparisons between him and another Georgian, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Bartishvili is more of a no.10 than a winger, although he has been deployed on the flanks.
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Arsenal will have competition for the player
LaGazzetta.ge report that Juventus have been circling Bartishvili for several weeks, and just like the Gunners, they have had conversations with his agent.
At the moment, there is no indication as to who is the favourite to sign the Georgian Under 21 international, but it should be emphasised that, even if he decides to join Mikel Arteta’s side, he won’t officially join them until next summer at the very earliest.