Arsenal’s pursuit of PSG superstar Khvicha Kvaratskhelia may have cooled, but Mikel Arteta is now in discussions to sign a teenager hailed as the ‘next Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’. With a Premier League title to defend next season, Arteta is looking to bolster his squad this summer, with a new left-winger as the top priority.
The futures of Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard remain uncertain, prompting the Gunners to target several high-profile forwards, including Kvaratskhelia. After winning two Serie A titles with Napoli, the 25-year-old moved to Paris for £69 million, where he has secured back-to-back Champions League finals victories and established himself as one of the world’s best wingers.
The Georgia international played a key role in PSG’s UCL final win over Arsenal in May, winning the penalty that led to the equalizer before the French champions triumphed in the shootout. Earlier this year, reports suggested Arsenal were exploring a deal for Kvaratskhelia, and he was open to a move to north London. However, his father publicly dismissed the rumors, and PSG have no intention of letting a star player leave.
With a transfer seeming unlikely, Arsenal are now focusing on the future. BBC Sport reports that they plan to make an offer for wonderkid Andria Bartishvili, who has drawn strong comparisons to Kvaratskhelia. The 17-year-old is contracted to Georgian second-division side FC Kolkheti until the end of 2026, and the Gunners are ready to make a pre-contract offer.
Bartishvili made his senior debut last year, just two days after his 16th birthday, and is currently on loan at Iberia 1999, helping them to second in the top-flight table. Despite his youth and inexperience, he has been hailed as a major future talent, already playing above his age level with two appearances for the Georgia U21 side.
Comparisons to fellow countryman Kvaratskhelia are widespread, particularly from Cristian Zaccardo, the player-turned-agent who helped Napoli sign the prolific winger. ‘Recently, a lot of talented players have appeared in Georgia. One such player is Andria Bartishvili,’ Zaccardo told Sky Calcio last year. ‘This 16-year-old attacking midfielder has the potential to become a great player. I saw Khvicha Kvaratskhelia two years before he moved to Napoli; he was already phenomenal. I met him and recommended him to Napoli.’
Arsenal may face competition for Bartishvili, with several Italian clubs, including Juventus, also interested. The Gunners are set to begin the 2026/27 Premier League season against Championship champions Coventry City at the Emirates on August 21, with all fixtures announced on Friday morning.
