Khvicha Kvaratskhelia has taken the footballing world by storm in recent years and Arsenal are now looking to sign the next version of the PSG attacker coming out of Georgia
Arsenal are in the running to sign the 'next Khvicha Kvaratskhelia'
Arsenal are in the running to sign the 'next Khvicha Kvaratskhelia'(Image: (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images))
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Arsenal have reportedly made an offer to sign Georgian attacking starlet Andria Bartishvili, who has unsurprisingly been compared to fellow countryman Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. The Paris Saint-Germain superstar is among the contenders for the Ballon D'or following another trophy-laden year in France.
One of those came at the expense of Arsenal with Luis Enrique's side winning consecutive Champions League titles earlier this year. The Gunners have been linked with a sensational move for Kvaratskhelia in the past but have been told he is not for sale with the player also happy in Paris.
As such, it looks as though Arsenal will instead by trying to sign the 'next Kvaratskhelia' with BBC Sport reporting they have made a pre-contract offer to Georgia under-21 international Bartishvili.
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He is currently contracted to FC Kolkheti in his home country, but is on loan at Iberia 1999, and his current deal expires at the end of the year.
Arsenal may not be the only club to make a move with the above report claiming that Juventus and Liverpool are interested and that Bartishvili is still weighing up his options.
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Sporting director Andrea Berta, who has been given credit for unearthing Kvaratskhelia, is driving the pursuit with it the latest major move being made for a young player. A double swoop of Manchester United stars James Scanlon and Habeeb Ogunneye has already been made.
Arsenal have faced criticism for failing to provide a pathway for some young players following first-team breakthroughs for Bukayo Saka, Myles Lewis-Skelly and Max Dowman.
All three have a future at the club but there is some long-term uncertainty over Ethan Nwaneri despite the club's recent decision to prioritise a loan move over a permanent departure.
Ethan Nwaneri of Arsenal
Ethan Nwaneri is expected to depart Arsenal on loan this summer
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Competition in midfield has only increased this summer with the signing of Bruno Guimaraes but his injury saw Nwaneri named in the squad to face Coventry City after missing out on a place for the Community Shield win over Manchester City.
Gabriel Martinelli was also absent last weekend and remained out of Arteta's squad for the first Premier League game of the season on Friday evening.
New signing Christos Tzolis made quite the impact in Martinelli's position with Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka and Kai Havertz as the goal-scorers in their 3-0 victory at Emirates Stadium.