As reported by Football.London, Arsenal are yet to trigger the two-year extension option in Charlie Patino’s current contract.
Barcelona may pounce at the chance of signing Patino in 2023
Recently, a report by Calciomarcato.it had suggested that Barcelona were keeping tabs on the Hale End graduate, whose deal expires in the summer.
It was stated that Xavi’s side are focused on signing the 19-year-old, in case Mikel Arteta’s men are “distracted” in their objective to develop one of the most talented youngsters in English football.
The Catalan giants have been described as “long-term fans” of Patino, who has often been hailed as one of the best young players to have come through the Gunners’ academy system in years.
Currently on loan at Blackpool, the half-Spanish midfielder could leave his boyhood club on a free transfer if he is not tied down to a brand-new deal.
Arsenal must trigger the two-year extension in Patino’s contract
The fact that Arteta told the club website that Arsenal are treating Patino’s “slowly” but surely, after he scored against Sunderland in the Carabao Cup last year implies that he eyes the wonderkid as a potential first-team player one day.
Club scout Brian Stapleton also went as far as to say that the teenager may well be the North Londoner’s “best”-ever youth product, in an interview with GOAL.
Much like how Barcelona brought in Pedri from Las Palmas in 2020 and developed him into one of the best midfielders in Europe, the same could be the case with Charlie Patino, if Arsenal fail to trigger the two-year extension option in his contract.
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