Rumour Mongering: Liverpool Working to Beat Arsenal to Andria Bartishvili

Andria Bartishvili is seen as being perhaps the brightest young talent in Georgian football, with the 17-year-old attacking midfielder naturally drawing comparisons to countryman Khvicha Kvaratskhelia as a result.

Liverpool fans could probably be forgiven for not having been aware of him before, but he has been getting plenty of attention from Arsenal sites in recent weeks with it having been reported that he was a near lock to sign with them from Georgian second division side Kolkheti Poti.

Despite being on Kolkheti’s books, Bartishvili spent last season on loan at FC Iberia 1999 in the top flight. He has also regularly represented Georgia through the youth levels.

Now, despite the Arsenal chatter, reports out of Georgia claim it’s actually a three-club fight for his services, with Liverpool as well as Paris Saint-Germain in the mix—and PSG said to be guaranteeing the player a first team role from day one in order to try to win his signature.

What exactly the Reds might be offering is less clear, but the claim is that from a contract point of view the three offers on the table are functionally identical and the player will decide on his future after FC Iberia 1999 play a pair of Champions League qualifiers next month.

The Georgian club won the title last season but still face a qualification hurdle, with a home-and-home against Estonia’s Tallinna FC Flora on July 8th and 14th to determine where they play in Europe next season.

Source: liverpooloffside.sbnation.com