Arsenal Sign Andria Bartishvili for 2027
Arsenal have quietly locked in their first signing for 2027 – and beaten Liverpool to it.
While the headlines this week have focused on the exodus of attackers from north London, the Premier League champions have been working on a move that won’t bear fruit for another three years. Ethan Nwaneri has gone to Borussia Dortmund on loan, Gabriel Jesus to Barcelona in a £12m deal including add-ons, Gabriel Martinelli to Al-Hilal for £60m, and Fabio Vieira to Hamburg for £8.6m. Four forwards out, no immediate replacements in.
Yet Mikel Arteta’s squad still looks stacked. Deep enough, in fact, that it continues to be the benchmark for the rest of the division.
Liverpool can still point to several world-class names who would walk into Arsenal’s XI. What they cannot match, at least right now, is the same depth across the pitch. Few would seriously place the Reds alongside Arsenal as title favourites this season, and that gap in squad construction has now been underlined in the market for one of Europe’s brightest teenagers.
Arsenal win race for Bartishvili
Both Arsenal and Liverpool pushed hard over the summer for 17-year-old Georgian attacking midfielder Andria Bartishvili. Liverpool went as far as putting a contract offer on the table. It wasn’t enough.
On August 29, Fabrizio Romano announced that Arsenal had won the race, delivering his trademark “here we go” for the deal on X.
“Arsenal agree deal to sign 17 year old Georgian talent Andria Bartishvili, here we go!” he wrote. “17 year old midfielder has medical booked in London at #AFC next week then signing a five year contract. He’s joining from 2027 when turning 18. Deal worth €4.5m. @Geo_team.”
The structure is clear. Bartishvili will remain away from the club until he turns 18, with the agreement kicking in from June 2027. Arsenal secure the player now, avoid any complications around his age, and line up another highly rated creative option for the future.
Romano followed up days later, confirming that Bartishvili was travelling to London to complete the formalities.
“Andria Bartishvili, on his way to London as he’s signing for Arsenal this week,” he reported. “Deal agreed last week for 17 year old Georgian talent joining #AFC from June 2027 when he’ll be 18.”
Deal sealed for 2027 arrival
On Friday morning came the final piece. Romano revealed that Bartishvili had completed his medical and that the transfer can now be treated as done.
“Georgian talent Andria Bartishvili can be considered a new Arsenal player,” he posted. “Medical completed, contract set to be signed and deal formally sealed. Bartishvili will join #AFC first team in summer 2027 when he turns 18.”
A fee of €4.5m secures one of Georgia’s standout young prospects and underlines Arsenal’s dual-track strategy: experienced, peak-age signings like Ezri Konsa and Bruno Guimaraes for the present, and high-upside teenagers for the next cycle.
Liverpool’s offer shows they saw the same potential. Arsenal’s pull – and their willingness to plan three years down the line – means Bartishvili will be wearing red in the Premier League, just not at Anfield.
The champions have made their move. In 2027, we find out exactly how big it was.
