Currently on loan at Blackpool in the Championship, Charlie Patino is often seen as one of the big talents for Arsenal going forward.
The midfielder even has two appearances for the Gunners’ first-team to his name, during which he has scored one goal, in a 5-1 win over Sunderland in the EFL Cup.
Arsenal sent him to Blackpool so he could get some regular game time, and that’s exactly what is happening, as he has played in 15 games, scored two goals and assisted another in all competitions.
The talent certainly hasn’t gone unnoticed around Europe either, as there are some in Italy, namely intermediary Michele Fratini, who have their eye on him for a potential transfer to Serie A down the line.
Speaking to Radio Toscana, relayed by Fiorentina News, Fratini was keen to suggest a name for Fiorentina to focus on going forward, and he brought up the Arsenal starlet.
He said: “My name for Fiorentina is Charlie Patino, born in 2003 with an English and Spanish passport. Immense talent. He has played in the Arsenal U23 team for a long time. A very strong player. It’s a tip for the purchases I make for Fiorentina.
“The boy is already known. Now he is in the Championship at Blackpool on loan. Naturally left-footed. There was talk of Lo Celso, but Patino instead reminds me a bit of Nuri Sahin, former Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid player. His market value is around €4m.
“He’s a midfielder who has dribbling and maybe sometimes tries too hard in trying to beat his man, but he has really quality. His contract will expire in 2023, in the summer.”
While all of that regarding his contract situation at Arsenal is true, the Gunners do have an option for a two-year extension that would certainly prevent him from leaving on a free.
Recent reports from England suggested Mikel Arteta’s side are trying their best to trigger it, so we’ll have to wait and see if they can manage it.
If so, he would certainly cost more than €4m, but if they can’t pull it off, then they will have to resign themselves to losing a very talented player on a free.
