Arsenal recruitment chief scouts 17yo ahead of bid

Arsenal recruitment specialist Maurizio Micheli watched Andria Bartishvili in action last week, with the Gunners stepping up their efforts to complete the signing.

Sami Mokbel reports for the BBC that Arsenal’s Maurizio Micheli was in attendance to watch Andria Bartishvili playing for Iberia 1999 against Flora in their Champions League qualifier last week.

Mokbel adds that sources indicate Arsenal are now stepping up their efforts to sign Bartishvili, having been linked with a move throughout the summer so far.

Mokbel had written in mid-June that Arsenal were set to make an offer, though he highlighted that Bartishvili had also been linked with a move to a number of Italian sides, including Juventus.

Arsenal would be looking to sign Bartishvili to a pre-contract agreement, which would then turn into an official contract when the player turns 18 in March 2009. The Gunners are unable to formally sign the player until then, as he’s not a UK national.

Bartishvili is currently on loan from Kolkheti Poti with fellow Georgian side Iberia 1999. As football in Georgia operates on a calendar-year basis, Bartishvili’s loan spell won’t end until December.

But that won’t stop Arsenal negotiating with the player’s parent club. Given the Gunners can’t bring Bartishvili in until next March, he wouldn’t need to end his current loan spell early.

So far, the Georgia u21 international has two goals and three assists in his 19 games for Iberia, with all of those goal contributions coming since he broke into the starting lineup at the start of May.

Bartishvili has also played for the Georgia u16s, u17s, u19s, and u21s in his young career, scoring two goals in two games for the u19s earlier this month.

• Arsenal assess 5 fresh international break injuries ahead of Leeds game
  Arsenal return from the international break with fresh injury concerns, but several players could still be available for the Premier League restart.
• Ex-Gunner escapes serious sanction after fan altercation
  Former Arsenal defender Krystian Bielik has learned his fate after the Fratton Park confrontation that prompted an FA investigation.
• Arsenal striker’s international form gives Arteta timely boost after Havertz injury
  Viktor Gyokeres returns to Arsenal after another prolific Sweden break, having extended a remarkable Nations League scoring run.
• Leeds without at least 3 for Arsenal test
  Arsenal face Leeds with top spot in sight, while the visitors arrive at the Emirates dealing with several injury problems after the international break.
• Arsenal 19yo picks up injury on international duty
  Smilla Holmberg has picked up an injury on Sweden duty, with the Arsenal defender now being assessed ahead of two World Cup play-off fixtures.