Arsenal to sell wonderkid in surprise summer transfer

Robin Bairner

• 1 May 2023 12:30 BST
• 3 min read

Arsenal are ready to allow wonderkid Charlie Patino to leave the club in the summer at the player’s request.

Patino has spent the season on loan at Championship side Brighton, where he has played 33 times, scoring two goals and creating four assists.

The 19-year-old midfielder has long been considered one of the brightest prospects to have come out of the Hale End academy in years, but now he is poised for a permanent move away from the Emirates Stadium in the summer.

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The Athletic reports that Patino, who has played twice for Arsenal’s first team, scoring on debut in a 5-1 League Cup win over Sunderland, is eager to earn playing time that will not be possible at the Emirates.

Arsenal are known to be seeking to strengthen in the central midfield positions, which is the role that he plays, and it appears that he is not in the plans of Mikel Arteta for next term.

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According to David Ornstein, the talks with the Gunners have been “amicable” and that the club “are ready to help facilitate a switch amid growing interest from the UK and abroad”.

It is noted that Patino’s Spanish passport opens the door to him for other opportunities.

Arsenal’s other Hale End hopes

Patino’s situation mirrors that of striker Folarin Balogun, who is on loan with Ligue 1 side Reims and is reportedly ready to seek a permanent summer transfer.

FootballTransfers exclusively revealed that Arsenal want to keep the young forward but will accept any sizeable bids for him, with interest mounting around Europe in a player eligible to play for both England and the US.

Meanwhile, right-back Reuell Walters is set to be handed a bigger role in the team next season, with FootballTransfers exclusively reporting that Arteta sees him as a legitimate option in that role in the immediate future.