Arsenal have won the race to sign highly-rated Georgian teenager Andria Bartishvili, beating Liverpool to secure the 17-year-old’s signature.
According to Geo Team, the Premier League holders moved decisively to land the youngster, who has drawn comparisons to Paris Saint-Germain winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
Bartishvili is set to fly to London on September 1 for his medical before putting pen-to-paper on a five-year deal with the club.
The contract will officially begin next summer, as the teenager cannot be registered until he turns 18 in March.
Arsenal will pay around £3.8 million to FC Kolkheti for the attacking midfielder, representing a significant investment in a young player of serious potential.
The Gunners have been active in pursuing emerging talent this summer, recently confirming the arrivals of Igor Tyjon and James Scanlon from Blackburn Rovers and Manchester United respectively.
Arsenal also strengthened their first-team forward options by adding Greek winger Christos Tzolis to the squad, while still seeking further marquee additions before the transfer window closes.
Bartishvili has spent the current campaign on loan with Iberia 1999 from Kolkheti, accumulating just over 1,000 minutes of football for the Georgian outfit.
Despite his limited game time, the teenager has made a notable impact, contributing 2 goals and 3 assists across all competitions since the loan began in February.
His statistics highlight an impressive all-round profile, averaging 2 dribbles per game in league action while also winning 6 duels and making nearly 4 recoveries per game.
Although primarily an attacking midfielder, Bartishvili has demonstrated versatility throughout the season, featuring as a left winger and as an outright forward when required.
His loan spell with Iberia 1999 concludes at the end of the year, with the youngster expected to continue playing for Kolkheti at the beginning of the 2027 season before formally joining Arsenal in the summer transfer window.
Arsenal could use pre-season preparations in 2027 to assess whether Bartishvili is ready to be considered for first-team involvement at the Emirates Stadium.
Landing a player likened to Kvaratskhelia at such an early stage of his development suggests the Gunners have identified a potential gem who could pay dividends for years to come.