Arsenal have struck a deal for Georgian wonderkid Andria Bartishvili (Picture: Getty) Georgian youngster Andria Bartishvili has been pictured making the trip to London to complete a transfer move to Arsenal. Bartishvili is currently on loan with Erovnuli Liga outfit Iberia 1999 from Kolkheti 1913 and is considered one of the brightest talents in Georgian football. Though just 17 years of age, the attacking midfielder has already been capped twice by Georgia’s Under-21 side and top teams from across Europe have been closely monitoring his progress. But Arsenal intensified their interest and won the race for Bartishvili’s signature this summer, agreeing a deal that will see the teenager join the club in 2027. Exclusive Premier League previews Get ahead of the start of the season with our weekly football newsletter. Sign up now for free. According to The Athletic, Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta and his assistant Maurizio Micheli were instrumental in coaxing Bartishvili to north London. Renowned for his talent-spotting skills, Micheli is said to have spotted Georgian superstar Khvicha Kvaratskhelia in his previous role as the chief scout at Napoli. Bartishvili, who turns 18 next March, took to Instagram to pass on his gratitude for the kind messages he had received ahead of his move to Arsenal. https://www.instagram.com/p/DZ-wQMzjXKL/?hl=en&img_index=1 ‘A very big thank you to everyone for the congratulations’ – Bartishvili confirmed his move to Arsenal on Instagram ‘A very big thank you to everyone for the congratulations,’ he wrote. Twenty-four hours after confirming his impending switch, Bartishvili was snapped boarding a flight to the UK to undergo a medical with the Gunners. It’s understood Bartishvili will put pen to paper on a five-year contract with the Premier League champions. 📸 EXCL: BARTISHVILI on his way to ARSENAL FC 🔴 — LONDON is waiting for ANDRIA 📞🇬🇧 Andria Bartishvili is currently on his way to London to undergo his medical with AFC. 🩺✈️And then… a five-year contract with the English champions for 17 y.o Georgian Gem 💎✨ pic.twitter.com/WhIafuE7Ak— Geo Team (@Geo__team) September 2, 2026 Liverpool and Juventus were among the clubs credited with an interest in Bartishvili before Arsenal muscled themselves into pole position for the sought-after teen. In June, Georgia head coach Willy Sagnol – the former France and Bayern Munich defender – picked Bartishvili out as a special talent. But Sagnol was keen to stress that talent alone would not be enough to take Bartishvili to the elite levels of the game. {"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@type":"VideoObject","name":"Arteta praises Arsenal's maturity in 1-0 win over Aston Villa","contentUrl":"https:\/\/videos.metro.co.uk\/video\/met\/2026\/09\/01\/1030376710448723935\/480x270_MP4_1030376710448723935.mp4","description":"Arteta also stressed the importance of squad depth after Konsa was substituted on for his debut for a Mosquera struggling with an injury.","duration":"T4M26S","height":270,"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/i.dailymail.com\/1s\/2026\/09\/01\/07\/110968591-0-image-a-1_1788244180392.jpg","uploadDate":"2026-09-01T07:29:49+0100","width":480} To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Up Next Previous Page Next Page window.addEventListener('metroVideo:relatedVideosCarouselLoaded', function(data) { if (typeof(data.detail) === 'undefined' || typeof(data.detail.carousel) === 'undefined' || typeof(data.detail.carousel.el_) === 'undefined') { return; } var player = data.detail.carousel.el_; var container = player.closest('.metro-video-player'); var placeholder = container.querySelector('.metro-video-player__up-next-placeholder'); if (placeholder) { container.removeChild(placeholder); container.classList.add('metro-video-player--related-videos-loaded'); } }); ‘I watched the youth team play, Bartishvili is a very talented player,’ Sagnol explained. ‘However, for a talented player to take a step forw
With a final decision pending on his renewal, Lionel Scaloni has reportedly chosen the Argentina player who will inherit Lionel Messi's No. 10 if he continues as head coach. Lionel Messi dropped one of the biggest bombshells in modern sports history by announcing his retirement from the Argentina national team, leaving the iconic No. 10 jersey vacant. While his own contract extension remains finalized through the next cycle, head coach Lionel Scaloni has reportedly selected who will inherit Messi’s shirt if he remains at the helm. The 2026 World Cup marked the end of an era for the Albiceleste roster, with Nicolas Otamendi and Messi, the final remaining holdovers from the 2014 World Cup squad in Brazil, officially stepping away. Another pressing question centers on who will steer the national team project toward the 2030 World Cup, given that Scaloni’s existing deal runs through December 2026. The upcoming autumn international window approaches with national teams scheduled to play up to 4 games across late September and October. November will bring another FIFA window, which could represent Scaloni’s final matches in charge unless an extension is finalized, though his succession plan for the No. 10 shirt is already set. According to reporting from ESPN Argentina insider Federico Bueno, Scaloni has chosen midfielder Nico Paz to take over the No. 10 jersey for the national team. It will mark the first time the playmaker wears the number for the senior team, having donned No. 18 since his initial call-up. Lionel Messi of Argentina greeting teammate Nico Paz. (Daniel Jayo/Getty Images) Following Messi’s announcement, several established stars were pitched as candidates for the shirt, including consolidated starters Enzo Fernandez and Alexis Mac Allister. However, Scaloni’s long-term bet for the post-Messi era rests on Paz taking the mantle if the manager signs his contract renewal. Across 11 appearances with Argentina, including two at the 2026 World Cup, Paz wore No. 18 for the national team, mirroring Messi’s initial shirt assignment between 2004 and 2008. The 21-year-old already possesses experience wearing the No. 10 at the club level, having taken the shirt at Como 1907 starting in 2025-26, registering 13 goals and seven assists across 42 matches while powering the Italian side to UEFA Champions League qualification for the first time in club history. Messi passes the baton after 17 years Back on March 28, 2009, during Diego Maradona’s managerial debut, Lionel Messi wore Argentina’s No. 10 jersey for the first time, holding exclusive ownership of the shirt whenever available from that moment forward. After 17 years carrying the mantle, the longest stretch by any player in national team history, the Inter Miami star now passes the baton to the next generation. Messi stands as the all-time leader in matches played as Argentina’s No. 10 with 172 appearances, more than doubling Diego Maradona‘s second-place tally of 85. The top five is rounded out by Ariel Ortega (59 games), Juan Roman Riquelme (29 games), and Marcelo Gallardo (15 caps). No current player on Argentina squad has worn No. 10 Throughout Messi’s 17-year tenure, only 17 other players ever wore the No. 10 shirt during his rare absences, with Sergio Aguero donning it the most across just seven matches. Out of respect for Messi, the shirt was left unassigned in 28 separate matches, leaving no active player on the current roster with experience wearing it. Franco Mastantuono of Argentina using the No. 10 jersey. (Franklin Jacome/Getty Images) Looking at the 25-man roster Scaloni assembled for the 2026 World Cup, not a single player other than Messi has ever worn the shirt for the senior team. The last player outside of Messi to wear it was Franco Mastantuono, but following a dip in form before his loan move to Fiorentina, the midfielder was left off the tournament squad.
Folarin Balogun's move to Everton is reportedly in doubt after concerns emerged from his medical tests, with Monaco and the player's camp disputing the club's findings. Folarin Balogun‘s move to Everton is in jeopardy after concerns emerged from his medical tests, according to Fabrizio Romano. The USMNT forward had traveled to Merseyside to complete the final steps of a transfer from AS Monaco, but the process has now hit an unexpected snag. “Everton medical staff believe he’s not 100% fit,” Romano reported, citing information from journalist Fabrice Hawkins. The concerns raised by Everton’s medical team threaten to derail a deal that had appeared close to being finalized just days before the transfer window’s closure. Monaco and Balogun’s camp, however, have pushed back against Everton‘s assessment, insisting the striker is fully fit and ready to play, with no issues on their end. The disagreement leaves the transfer in a state of uncertainty as both sides try to reach a resolution before time runs out. The deal, believed to be worth around €45 million in a fixed fee with a further €5 million in potential add-ons, would have reunited Balogun with the Premier League after his spell at Monaco, where he arrived following his departure from Arsenal. 🚨⚠️ Folarin Balogun’s move to Everton is in jeopardy after medical tests.Everton medical staff believe he’s not 100% fit, as @FabriceHawkins reported.AS Monaco and player’s camp insist Folarin is ready to play and there are no issues. pic.twitter.com/mzUtda4P1y— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) September 1, 2026 With the transfer deadline fast approaching, Everton and Monaco now face a race against the clock to either resolve the medical dispute or see the move collapse entirely. Everton need a center-forward as soon as possible Everton’s situation up front only raises the stakes on resolving the medical dispute quickly. The club sold Beto to Fiorentina in a permanent deal worth around £17 million as the transfer window winds down, leaving Thierno Barry as their only center-forward. With that in mind, Everton have already reached out to Manchester United to inquire about Joshua Zirkzee as a contingency plan should the Balogun deal ultimately fall through, according to Romano. The decision on any potential move rests with United, who have already turned down approaches from Italian clubs over the past 48 hours. Everton are also said to be in direct contact with Zirkzee’s camp, per journalist Alan Myers, as they explore every available option before the transfer window closes.
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