Arsenal may now lose one of their brightest academy products as Charlie Patino has asked the midfielder’s agent to find him a transfer amid vast interest around Europe.
The 20-year-old is currently out on loan in the Championship with Swansea City. But Patino does not want to return to Emirates Stadium next season and is now looking to break away from Arsenal after nine years. He joined the Gunners’ famed Hale End ranks at 11 years old.
Patino made a sensational start to his senior career in north London with the Watford native scoring on his debut. But Mikel Arteta only handed Patino one further senior game following his breakthrough in the EFL Cup against Sunderland in an FA Cup tie at Nottingham Forest.
Charlie Patino asks his agent to secure him a transfer away from Arsenal
Now, Planet Milan reports that Patino has asked the midfielder’s agent to find him a transfer away from Arsenal. He does not want to return to north London with the England U21 talent feeling it is time to start his next chapter. A raft of European teams are also showing interest.
AC Milan and Juventus, in particular, are keeping close tabs on Patino’s availability ahead of the summer sales. San Siro chiefs can see the midfielder being their next midfield conductor and would especially love his arrival if Ismael Bennacer were to leave the Rossoneri, as well.
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Juventus cannot be underestimated in any race for Patino’s transfer from Arsenal, though, as technical director Cristiano Giuntoli has been hot on the midfielder’s case for some time. Yet Planet Milan also claims that Patino will be a free agent in July but his contract runs to 2025.
Mikel Arteta is ready to sell Charlie Patino amid AC Milan and Juventus’ interest
Arsenal are not opposed to selling Patino when he returns from a loan spell at Swansea that has so far returned four goals and four assists in 33 fixtures, however. The Evening Standard claims that Arteta is ready to sanction Patino’s exit to focus on Ethan Nwaneri’s progression.
Transfer intermediary Michele Fratini has also previously claimed that Arsenal will eye €30m (£26m) for Patino’s transfer. He also cited Juventus, SSC Napoli and Inter Milan as interested sides with AC Milan. Fratini also feels Patino has ‘great quality’ and can be ideal for Juventus.
The Turin natives have long held a firm admiration of the Hale End product as they look for a new midfield conductor. Fratini also reported that Juventus scouted Patino during Swansea’s FA Cup tie with Morecambe this January. The Bianconeri also ‘badly’ want to seal his arrival.