Arsenal are keen to bolster their midfield options this summer, though it could come at the expense of exciting young prospect Charlie Patino.
Leicester City’s Youri Tielemans is reportedly likely to make the move to the Emirates Stadium this summer, with the Belgian international not willing to extend his contract with the Foxes. And the transfer looks more on the cards than ever as The Athletic have revealed that Tielemans has decided that he is now willing to transfer to a club that is not playing Champions League football next season.
Juventus ’ Arthur Melo was also linked with a move to the Gunners in January. However, a deal never materialised for the Brazilian and Arsenal went through the window without making any new signings.
But Tielemans’ arrival in North London is long overdue given he has been linked for a few seasons now, though it will cause a selection headache for manager Mikel Arteta. Young playmaker Patino appears to be the next bright spark to be integrated into the Arsenal team, but the arrival of another midfielder could push him down the pecking order.
The 18-year-old started an FA Cup match for Arsenal this season, and also came off of the bench in the EFL Cup to score his first professional goal for the club in a 5-1 victory over Sunderland. Speaking after his dream debut against the Black Cats, Arteta was quick to cool the hype surrounding the midfielder.
He said: “A beautiful moment. He is a kid that is coming through our system, a lovely kid. He is training with us almost every week. It was a dream. As a debut to come here, to score in front of our fans, a really special moment.”
The Gunners faithful were vocal in their support of Patino prior to him entering the fray, to which his manager added: “I think that is very positive. 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."
He added: “That [hype] 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.”
Of course, there are enough competitions for Arteta to rotate his squad and give the youth a chance, but it is surely competitive fixtures that will see Patino to the best of his ability – especially if it is ruled that he is ‘above’ under-23s level of football.
Or, perhaps, Patino’s may be told by Arteta that a season away from the Emirates is the best way for the former Luton academy star to continue his individual progress ready to slot into the first team in a few seasons' time.
Tielemans will certainly add a touch of class in the centre of the park for Arsenal, and he will feel that he can help the club return to the top four if a deal is reached with Leicester. Liverpool and Manchester United have both also been linked with the 25-year-old.
