Mikel Arteta's plans to keep building at Arsenal could be dealt a blow this summer with one of his brightest talents set to leave the club.
Charlie Patino has spent the season on loan at Blackpool, who were relegated on Friday night following a 3-2 defeat against Millwall. But despite the struggles of The Tangerines, the 19-year-old has excelled in midfield, and will return to the Emirates this month having undoubtedly enhanced his reputation.
Patino burst onto the scene back in December 2021 when, within moments of coming on for his debut against Sunderland in the League Cup, the youngster scored his first senior goal. Boss Arteta afterwards lauded a "beautiful moment," but also warned against over-hyping the teenager.
“I think that is very positive [that the fans were singing his name]," said the Spaniard at the time. "They heard about him and know what he can become and now we have to cook him slowly. Today was a good start, I think.
“[Too much expectation around him] is what we have to avoid. He still has a lot of competition in front of him. He is really young. And he needs to go step by step. Today he was lucky, he got the opportunity and he took it really well.”
But now The Athletic is reporting that Patino's desire to seek first-team football will lead to an imminent Arsenal exit. With Thomas Partey currently occupying the defensive midfield role he specialises in, the England under-20 star believes his first team chances will again be limited, and favours a permanent move elsewhere over another loan deal.
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Patino commanded a fee of £10,000 when he signed for Arsenal from Luton Town at the tender age of 11, and having come through the youth ranks, the Premier League club previously triggered a clause which allowed them to extend Patino's contract until 2025. It means the Gunners will at least receive a fee if they do part ways with the player.
And his mind may have been made up by the club being strongly linked with a move for West Ham midfielder Declan Rice. Despite their faltering title bid, Arteta is reportedly confident of landing the England star for a fee in the region of £100million.
Indeed, Arteta has already begun his transfer business, with defender Pablo Mari completing his move away from the club after sealing a switch to Serie A side Monza. The Spanish defender joined the Italian club on a season-long loan at the start of the campaign, with the option to sign for a fee of £5.9 million should they avoid relegation.
