Andria Bartishvili wanted by Arsenal and Liverpool

Arsenal and Liverpool are both chasing highly rated Georgian teenager Andria Bartishvili, with the 17-year-old midfielder emerging as one of the more intriguing young names on the European transfer radar.

Bartishvili, currently on loan at Iberia 1999 from Kolkheti Poti, has already made 35 senior appearances despite his age. Since joining Iberia for the 2026 season, he has contributed two goals and two assists, numbers that only tell part of the story. His appeal lies in his technical profile: a creative attacking midfielder comfortable receiving between the lines, carrying the ball forward and influencing games in the final third.

Reports had suggested Arsenal were close to sealing a £4.5million deal, but Bartishvili has since appeared to deny that any agreement is in place. Liverpool are also understood to have made an offer, while Paris FC are trying to tempt him with the clearest route to immediate first-team football.

That detail matters. English clubs cannot officially bring Bartishvili over until he turns 18 in March 2027, meaning any Premier League move would require patience and a development plan. For Arsenal, he would fit their recent academy-focused recruitment strategy, adding another high-upside teenager to a system already producing and attracting elite young talent. For Liverpool, the interest reflects their continued push to identify technically gifted players before their value explodes.

The Georgian angle is also significant. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s rise has changed how Europe views the country’s talent pool, and Bartishvili is already being watched through that lens. Those comparisons can be heavy, but they explain why clubs are moving early.

Bartishvili is expected to make a final decision after his club's upcoming European qualifiers.