Andria Bartishvili is set to become an Arsenal player after a deal has been agreed
Andria Bartishvili is set to become an Arsenal player after a deal has been agreed(Image: Levan Verdzeuli/Getty Images)
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Arsenal have agreed a deal with FC Kolkheti-1913 Poti to sign the Georgian wonderkid Andria Bartishvili for €4.5million (£3.9million).
The Gunners have been on the hunt to sign some of the best young players in the world and following the departure of Per Mertesacker and replacing the German with Pascal de Maesschalck as the new Academy Director, the summer transfer window has been abuzz with activity.
Bartishvili will become the fourth youngster to sign ahead of a future arrival in recent seasons. He will join Ecuadorian twins Holger and Edwin Quintero, who arrive in the summer of 2027 from Independiente.
In January, Shamrock Rovers’ Victor Ozhianvuna will also become an Arsenal player. So, what do we know about the latest incoming arrival?
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The 17-year-old was on loan at Iberia 1999 last season and played in the Georgian side's Champions League and Europa League qualifying matches.
To better understand the player, football.london spoke with Saba Sapanadze, an expert in Georgian football and who runs Geo Team, a Georgian football platform providing insight and up-to-date coverage on players from the nation, including PSG’s Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Liverpool’s Giorgi Mamardashvili.
Sapanadze broke the exclusive story that Arsenal had agreed a deal to sign Bartishvili, who has been undergoing a medical in North London ahead of joining in the summer next year.
“He’s a player who is incredible in one-on-one situations,” Sapanadze explained. “Extremely technical and intelligent, with outstanding vision and awareness on the pitch.”
The fee paid is similar to what the split cost of each of the aforementioned Ecuadorian twins will set the Gunners back (up to £9million combined). However Sapanadze feels the Gunners have a real bargain.
“I think Arsenal were very lucky to get Andria for €4.5million. That only happened because he’s Georgian, otherwise I genuinely believe his price would have been around €15million-€20million.
“Why? Because he is considered one of the biggest talents in the country, alongside Kvaratskhelia’s brother, Tornike.”
With so much talent already in the champions’ squad, this recruitment drive will see the new under-21s head coach David Horseman inundated with new talent. But fans will be asking whether Bartishvili will be able to take the step to the senior side.
“Let’s be realistic,” Sapanadze explained. “Arsenal have an incredible squad right now, so it would be unrealistic for me to tell you that he’ll walk straight into the first team. However, from what I understand, he’ll have a first-team contract and will train with the senior squad.
“Perhaps, initially, a loan to the Championship for regular playing time could be a smart move and help him adapt to British football.”
When a nation like Georgia has such a standout star attacker in the form of Kvaratskhelia, it is no surprise that comparisons begin to emerge. However, while both operate at the offensive end of the field, that is where the similarities end, and Sapanadze feels there is another world-class player that is of a better comparison.
“For me, Kvaratskhelia is currently the best player in the world and the No. 1 winger”, Sapanadze said. “Obviously, that comparison creates pressure, but stylistically, Khvicha and Andria are very different players.
“Khvicha is a pure winger, much quicker, with long, powerful strides. Andria operates more centrally, behind the striker, and one of his biggest strengths is his ability to break through midfield from central areas. In terms of style, I’d compare him more to Kevin De Bruyne."