Arsenal makes another signing even after the transfer window has closed – but there’s a twist!
Arsenal are ready to seal another transfer this summer, even though the window closed over 12 hours ago. After finally winning the Premier League under Mikel Arteta last season, Arsenal have stayed busy signing new players to strengthen their squad.
This summer, Arsenal spent about £198.5 million on five new players, making improvements all over the pitch. Their biggest signing was Bruno Guimaraes, who joined from Newcastle in a £75 million deal. England defender Ezri Konsa came in for £55 million from Aston Villa, while winger Christos Tzolis arrived from Club Brugge for £34 million.
On Deadline Day, Arsenal were fairly quiet. The only name linked was Malick Fofana, who ended up joining Sunderland after a transfer fight with Crystal Palace.
But even after the deadline, reports say Arsenal are already working on a signing for next year. Fabrizio Romano revealed that the player is on his way to London to finish the deal.
Earlier in the window, Arsenal signed 17-year-old Georgian talent Andria Bartishvili, who many see as the next Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. Bartishvili is one of several young players Arsenal have brought in this summer as they plan for a bright future.
He’s joining from Georgian club Kolkheti 1913 in a €4.5 million (£3.9 million) deal, but it won’t officially start until 2027 when he turns 18. Still, Arsenal want to lock it in now—he’s travelling to London today for a medical. If all goes well, he’ll sign a five-year contract and then return to Kolkheti 1913, before coming back to London next June.
While Bartishvili isn’t the big-name signing some fans hoped for this summer, this news will be a relief after a quiet Deadline Day. Besides missing out on Fofana, Arsenal also lost out on Inter Milan’s Pio Esposito, who signed a new contract with the Italian club.
The 21-year-old forward caught the attention of both Arsenal and Man United, and Arsenal even sent scouts to watch him during pre-season. But Esposito chose to stay with Inter and signed a new deal on Tuesday.
He told Sky Sport Italia, “I am absolutely delighted. I always want to keep improving.” The new contract is expected to keep him at Inter until 2031, though the club hasn’t officially announced it yet.