Mikel Arteta - Arsenal
Clubs that plan two years ahead often secure the best young talents before they turn 18. Medicals booked in London while the player stays at home for another season have become a familiar model. Five-year contracts signed early lock in the pathway once work-permit and age rules allow a move.
Attacking midfielders who already have senior and European minutes at 17 stand out from typical academy signings. National youth call-ups at under-21 level underline the rating. Fees that look modest now can look very different if the player develops as hoped.
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Arsenal have agreed a deal to sign 17-year-old Georgian midfielder Andria Bartishvili, according to Fabrizio Romano. The teenager has a medical booked in London next week and will then sign a five-year contract.
The deal is worth €4.5million. Bartishvili will not move to England immediately. He will join in 2027 once he has turned 18.
He currently plays for Iberia 1999 in Tbilisi, where he has already gained senior experience in domestic football and European qualifying. He is primarily an attacking midfielder and has represented Georgia at several youth levels, including the under-21s.
Romano posted: “Arsenal agree deal to sign 17 year old Georgian talent Andria Bartishvili, here we go! 17 year old midfielder has medical booked in London at #AFC next week then signing a five year contract. He’s joining from 2027 when turning 18. Deal worth €4.5m.”
🚨BREAKING:Arsenal agree deal to sign 17-year-old Georgian talent Andria Bartishvili.
Medical booked in London next week ahead of the player signing a five-year contract.
Deal worth £4million.
Good bit of business from Arsenal after missing out on Jeremy Monga earlier this… pic.twitter.com/Bu402Y0YIv
— now.arsenal (@now_arsenaI) August 29, 2026
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Bartishvili was born on 30 March 2009. Transfermarkt lists his current market value at €1.5million.
The agreement continues Arsenal’s strategy of identifying high-potential players early and bringing them in when they are ready. It sits alongside other academy additions this window, including Igor Tyjon and the expected arrivals from Manchester United.
Supporters will see another long-term investment rather than an instant first-team option. The medical next week, likely around 1 September, should allow the contract to be completed before or just after the deadline even though the player remains in Georgia until 2027.
Further confirmation is expected once he has been in London. Arsenal’s recruitment team have clearly identified him as a priority for the next stage of the academy pathway.
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