Andria Bartishvili: Georgian Prodigy Drawing Interest from Liverpool and Arsenal
Liverpool and Arsenal are circling one of Georgia’s most exciting young talents – and the clock is very much part of the story.
A Georgian prodigy on Europe’s radar
Andria Bartishvili is only 17, but he has already broken into the Georgian top flight, reached double figures for appearances and scored his first senior goal in a 1-0 win over Gagra. That strike did not just win a game; it announced a player many in Georgia see as the brightest prospect to emerge since Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
An attacking midfielder by trade, Bartishvili operates comfortably as a classic No 10 or drifting in from the left. At 170cm, he relies on technique rather than physique: tight close control, sharp changes of direction, and the confidence to go past defenders in one‑v‑one situations. Those traits have already triggered the inevitable Kvaratskhelia comparisons back home.
He is currently on loan at FC Iberia 1999 from parent club Kolkheti 1913, continuing his development while quietly becoming a name on major European scouting lists.
A contract situation built for opportunists
What turns a promising teenager into a genuine transfer battleground is not just talent. It is timing.
Bartishvili’s loan at Iberia 1999 runs until the end of 2026. At that point he is due to return to Kolkheti Poti – but his contract with Kolkheti also expires then. That alignment opens a door. He could be available on a free transfer or for a minimal compensation fee, a Bosman-style opportunity that top clubs rarely ignore.
Arsenal have already been linked with a pre-contract move designed specifically to exploit that window. Reports suggest the London club would be willing to pay around £2m to get ahead of the market, a fee that now acts as a rough benchmark for negotiations.
Liverpool join the race
Just as Arsenal looked to be positioning themselves, the race has widened.
Reliable Georgian outlet “Geo Team” reported on X that three clubs are actively working on a deal for Bartishvili: Arsenal FC, Liverpool FC and Paris FC. According to their information, Bartishvili has not reached an agreement with Arsenal, and the offers on the table from the two English giants are described as “identical”.
That leaves the pitch open for persuasion rather than pure finance.
Paris FC, unable to compete with the global pull of Liverpool and Arsenal, are trying a different angle. They are said to be offering guaranteed first-team minutes from the outset – a powerful card to play for a 17-year-old whose next move will shape his pathway as much as his pay packet.
Decision on hold – for now
Bartishvili and his representatives are not rushing. As reported, they intend to make a final decision only after upcoming European qualification matches, which he is set to play with FC Iberia 1999. Those games will give him another platform, another chance to show why some of Europe’s biggest recruiters are suddenly looking towards Georgia.
Liverpool’s pitch, Arsenal’s long-term planning and Paris FC’s promise of immediate game time are all on the table.
The question now is simple: does Bartishvili choose the fastest route to the spotlight, or the clearest road to the top?
