Arsenal youngster Charlie Patino would be the ideal addition to Juventus’ midfield with the Premier League giants valuing the playmaker at £26 million.
At least, that is according to Michele Fratini, a talent scout and an intermediary who works over in Italy.
Speaking to Rai Sport, Fratini took the opportunity to point out that ‘all the top clubs’ in Italian football are showing an interest in a player going from strength-to-strength on loan at Swansea City from Arsenal, though there is one Serie A giant who simply leaps of the page when it comes to those crying out for a player of Charlie Patino’s talents.
Arsenal’s Charlie Patino tipped for Juventus
“They need a playmaker because Juventus doesn’t have quality,” Fratini explains. “One player who builds the game could be Charlie Patino of Arsenal, because he has great quality. There are many great teams following him.”
Juventus, Fabrizio Romano reported earlier in the week, are looking for a more attack-minded midfielder than a purely defensive one. As such, the Bianconeri may prefer Patino to another Arsenal man, Thomas Partey, after losing the creative pair Paul Pogba and Nicolo Fagioli to suspension.
“(Patino) is a pure talent,” Fratini adds, labelling the Liberty City loanee a player of unique skills on UK shores. “He’s left-footed. He is the only (natural) playmaker in English football.
“He is wanted by all the top Italian clubs, such as Milan, Juventus, Inter and Napoli. He’ll cost 30 million euros. He’s very strong.”
Mikel Arteta leaving the door open
Patino, an England U21 international, celebrated his 20th birthday last month and faces an uncertain future at an Arsenal side yet to hand him a run of games despite his obvious – and much-discussed – potential.
Gunners boss Mikel Arteta, however, insists that there is still a ‘pathway’ at Arsenal for Patino and the club’s array of talented up-and-comers.
“There’s always a pathway,” Arteta tells Football London. “And, when we make decisions on those kind of players, it’s always to keep an eye on them and see, can we evolve the squad in that way?
“And the first thing that what we do is look internally.”
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