Agent says club scouted £26m Arsenal ace in FA Cup and they ‘badly want him’

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Juventus are supposedly desperate to sign Charlie Patino from Premier League giants Arsenal after scouting the Swansea City loanee in the FA Cup third round last weekend. 

The 20-year-old scored his fourth goal in Swansea colours during the 2-0 victory over lower-league Morecambe at the Liberty Stadium. And could it be that performance – in an otherwise low-key cup clash – which paves the way for Charlie Patino to leave Arsenal for another of Europe’s big hitters? 

Michele Fratini, an agent working in Italy, certainly thinks so.

“Juventus really likes him,“ Fratini tells Rai Sport. “He scored, and Juventus was there to see him in the FA Cup.  

“He is the player that Juventus badly want in Turin.” 

Arsenal have to make Charlie Patino decision

This is not the first time Fratini has spoken about the prospect of Patino swapping North London for Juventus’ Allianz Stadium. The agent said only a month ago that the England under 21 international was ‘in everyone’s notebook’ – including that of AC Milan – while indicating that Arsenal may be willing to consider offers in the £26 million bracket. 

Juventus may even offer one-time Everton misfit Moise Kean as part of a swap deal.

“He has a lot of quality and, in England, a lot of people like him. He’s very talented. Perhaps he is Arsenal’s greatest footballer at youth level. I’m not exaggerating in saying that we are faced with a player who will be able to make his mark at a high level, if he finds the right place,” Fratini said a week before Christmas.

“Juventus and Milan? He’s in everyone’s notebook. He’s among the 50 best young players in the world. I don’t know if (Adrien) Rabiot will stay at Juve. Patino is left-footed like him, and (director Cristiano) Giuntoli wants to take the best talents around.

“As for the price, the Gunners are asking for about 30 million euros. Maybe 20 million fixed and 10 in bonuses.” 

Shining at Swansea

With only a year-and-a-half left on his contract, Arsenal will not be able to put off a decision over Patino’s long-term future for much longer.

The left-sided midfield role Granit Xhaka vacated in Mikel Arteta’s engine room could potentially suit Patino perfectly, though the big-money acquisition of Kai Havertz threatens to block a potential route into the first-team picture.