Liverpool and Arsenal Pursue Georgian Prodigy Andria Bartishvili

Liverpool and Arsenal are circling one of Georgia’s most exciting young talents – and the numbers around him barely seem to make sense in today’s market.

Liverpool join race for Georgian prodigy

Andria Bartishvili, just 17, has forced his way into the Georgian topflight this season, hitting double figures for appearances and marking his breakthrough with a decisive first senior goal in a 1-0 win over Gagra. In a league that rarely makes European headlines, his rise has.

The attacking midfielder is currently on loan at FC Iberia 1999 from parent club Kolkheti 1913. He operates primarily as a No.10 but drifts comfortably in off the left, a 170cm playmaker who lives in tight spaces and thrives in one‑v‑one situations. Sharp changes of direction, quick feet, defenders left wrong‑footed – it has already led to the inevitable comparison back home: Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.

For a teenager, that is a heavy name to carry. It has not slowed the interest.

A contract situation big clubs love

What turns Bartishvili from an intriguing prospect into a potential bargain is his contract.

His loan at Iberia 1999 runs until the end of 2026. At that point, he is due to return to Kolkheti Poti – but his deal with the parent club also expires at the same time. That opens the door to a free transfer or, at most, a minimal compensation fee.

Arsenal have already tried to move early. Reports suggest the London club are preparing a pre-contract offer designed to exploit that window, aiming to secure him on a Bosman-style arrangement before the rest of Europe piles in. A fee of around £2m has been floated as a likely reference point for any agreement, a modest sum in Premier League terms for a player rated as one of Georgia’s brightest prospects in years.

The problem for Arsenal? They are no longer alone.

“Identical offers” and a crucial decision window

Reliable Georgian outlet “Geo Team” reported on X that three clubs are now actively working on a deal: Arsenal FC, Liverpool FC, and Paris FC. Their information is clear: Bartishvili has not reached an agreement with Arsenal, and the field is wide open.

The English giants are said to have tabled identical offers, leaving Paris FC to change the pitch rather than the price. The French side are attempting to tip the balance by promising guaranteed first‑team minutes from the start – a powerful card to play for a 17‑year‑old weighing up his next step.

The timing is important. According to the same report, Bartishvili and his representatives will only make a final decision after upcoming European qualification matches, which he is set to play with FC Iberia 1999. Those games now carry an extra layer of scrutiny. Every touch, every turn, every sprint will be watched with a different kind of intensity.

Liverpool’s interest adds a new dimension. A club that has rebuilt itself on smart recruitment and development of young, high-ceiling players does not move lightly in this market. When they appear at the table, others tend to sit up.

Arsenal, Liverpool, Paris FC. One teenage playmaker from Georgia, a contract running down, and a decision delayed until after a crucial set of qualifiers.

For Bartishvili, the next pass might be the one that defines his career.