Arsenal have reportedly beaten Liverpool F.C. To the signing of Georgian attacking midfielder Andria Bartishvili. The Gunners have agreed a five-year deal worth around €4.5 million for the 17-year-old prospect.
Bartishvili, a Georgia Under-21 international, is expected to undergo a medical on Tuesday, 1 September. UK regulations mean he cannot join Arsenal in London until he turns 18 next March. He is currently on loan at Iberia 1999 from Kolkheti Poti until the end of the Georgian calendar-year season in December.
Arsenal opened talks for Andria Bartishvili two months ago. The club presented a pre-contract to the player last week, but it was not certain he would accept it with other offers on the table. Liverpool had entered the picture for the midfielder, while Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus were also among the interested European clubs. The deal is said to be the result of months of work by Arsenal to secure his signature.
The young midfielder has made 24 appearances for Iberia 1999 this season, contributing two goals and three assists. All five of those goal involvements have come since he broke into the starting line-up at the beginning of May. His performances for club and country at youth level attracted significant attention from several top clubs.
Missing out on a target highlights the competitive nature of the transfer market. Liverpool's focus now turns to their immediate on-pitch challenges. The team sits 11th in the Premier League with two points from two draws. They have scored four goals and conceded four, leaving them with a zero goal difference and four points behind early leaders Manchester City.
Jurgen Klopp's side faces a trip to face 9th-placed Ipswich Town on 4 September. Preparing for that match is complicated by a significant injury list. Players currently sidelined include Stefan Bajcetic, Conor Bradley, Federico Chiesa, Hugo Ekitike, Joe Gomez, and Giacomo Leoni. Fans can monitor the latest team news on our dedicated injuries page. Handling this period will be important as Liverpool look to climb the table from their current mid-table position.
