Arsenal are set to complete the signing of highly-rated Georgian teenager Andria Bartishvili after the 17-year-old travelled to London to finalise his move.
Fabrizio Romano reports that a deal was agreed last week and Bartishvili is now on his way to London to sign for Arsenal this week, although he will not formally join the club until June 2027 when he is 18.
The agreement continues Arsenal’s aggressive recruitment of elite young talent alongside the enormous first-team rebuild completed this summer.
Read Arsenal has listed all of the senior arrivals and departures in our complete Arsenal 2026 summer transfer round-up.
🚨 Arsenal have agreed a deal for 17-year-old Georgian prospect Andria Bartishvili.#AFC finalising signing. Georgian U21 international attacking midfielder will join in 2027 when he turns 18. @TheAthleticFC 🔴⚪️⬇️https://t.co/l2vVvIjCz6 pic.twitter.com/kWbrBhiFlA
— gunnerblog (@gunnerblog) September 1, 2026
Andria Bartishvili set to sign for Arsenal
Bartishvili currently belongs to Georgian side Kolkheti 1913 and has spent time on loan with Iberia 1999.
Arsenal have been pursuing him for several months.
The Evening Standard previously reported Arsenal’s interest in Bartishvili, with the teenager attracting attention after breaking into senior football at just 16.
He has frequently been compared in Georgia to Paris Saint-Germain star Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, although such comparisons inevitably place considerable expectations on a player still at the beginning of his career.
There had previously been uncertainty over the transfer.
Bartishvili publicly denied earlier suggestions that an agreement with Arsenal had already been completed, with Liverpool also among the clubs reported to have shown an interest.
The situation has now progressed significantly.
Romano says the agreement is in place and Bartishvili is travelling to London ahead of signing his Arsenal contract.
Arsenal continue major academy recruitment drive
Bartishvili will not immediately become part of Mikel Arteta’s senior squad.
The Georgian prospect is instead another investment in Arsenal’s long-term talent pipeline.
That strategy has become increasingly visible over the past year.
Arsenal have already strengthened their development ranks with several prospects, while the club also confirmed nine new first-year scholars earlier this summer.
The Gunners have also recruited Igor Tyjon, James Scanlon and other young players as the club attempts to increase the quality available beneath Arteta’s first team.
Bartishvili’s arrival adds an international dimension to that recruitment.
Reports suggest Arsenal faced competition from major European clubs for the Georgian, with Juventus also having monitored his development.
Bartishvili cannot join Arsenal until 2027
The key detail is that supporters should not expect to see Bartishvili at Emirates Stadium this season.
Because he is still 17, international transfer regulations prevent him from making the permanent move to England immediately.
Romano reports the agreement will see Bartishvili formally join Arsenal in June 2027, once he is 18.
It means this is effectively the first piece of Arsenal’s 2027 recruitment, rather than a late addition to Arteta’s 2026/27 squad.
Arsenal’s immediate senior options can be followed through the Read Arsenal First Team hub, while the club’s summer business is detailed in our complete transfer guide.
Bartishvili is unlikely to affect the Premier League champions immediately.
But winning the race for one of Georgia’s most highly-rated teenagers suggests Arsenal are already building well beyond the transfer window that has just closed.
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