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Arsenal are hoping to sign FC Kolkheti attacking midfielder Andria Bartishvili when his contract expires at the end of this year, according to reports.
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BBC journalist Sami Mokbel, who is a trusted source when it comes to transfers involving the Gunners, claims that the Premier League champions have “made a pre-contract offer” to the Georgian Under-21 international.
Bartishvili has been likened to his fellow countryman Khvicha Kvarataskhelia, although they do play in slightly different positions.
Rather than playing out wide like the Paris Saint-Germain star, Bartishvili has mostly caught the eye as a no.10 during his loan spell at Iberia 1999.
Arsenal have competition for the player
Mikel Arteta’s side are not the only club pursuing Bartishvili’s signature, with Liverpool and Juventus also having been mentioned as potential suitors in recent months.
It is believed that the teenager has yet to make a final decision on his future. He has other offers, but he will likely make his choice before his current deal at FC Kolkheti expires on December 31st.
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Bartishvili can only officially move when he turns 18
Due to FIFA regulations and UK visa rules, British clubs are not able to sign players from abroad unless they are 18 years of age or over.
Bartishvili is currently 17, and his birthday isn’t until March 30th next year, so even if he does decide to make the switch to the Emirates, he couldn’t officially sign on the dotted line in January.
The earliest announcement for a move would be April, and even then, you wouldn’t expect him to become part of the first-team setup straight away, considering his age. He may spend some time with David Horseman’s Under-21s, or he could be loaned out.
Of course, Bartishvili still needs to choose his next club, and we may not hear anything for several weeks or even months.