Loaned-out Arsenal ace may be “already thinking” about summer transfer to Euro giants, says intermediary

Highly-rated young Arsenal midfielder Charlie Patino keeps on being linked as a possible summer transfer target for Juventus, and there’s been another claim made about the player’s situation.

Patino has long been highly rated at Arsenal after rising up through their academy, but first-team football has been a little hard to come by for the talented 20-year-old, so he’s had to go out on loan a couple of times.

The England Under-21 international is currently impressing on loan at Swansea City, but it could be that instead of returning to Arsenal in the summer, he’ll be on his way to Juventus in a permanent move.

In fact, one intermediary has suggested that Patino’s recent slight dip in form might be because he’s distracted as he expects to make the move to Turin for next season.

Patino transfer – could Juventus interest be a distraction for the Arsenal youngster?

Discussing Patino’s situation on TV Play, as cited and translated by Sport Witness, intermediary Michele Fratini said: “I have noticed that Charlie Patino has gone a little down morally lately. He has not raised his level. I wonder if he was already thinking of going to Juventus in January and if he is ready to go in June. Alcaraz is a good player but he is a joker.

“He can stay in front of the defence, play as a midfielder and even as a trequartista in the attacking phase. However, I think Patino is the profile Juventus are waiting for.”

It will be interesting to see if Arsenal are prepared to let this big prospect leave, as fans will no doubt hope to see more homegrown players follow the likes of Bukayo Saka, Eddie Nketiah, Emile Smith Rowe and Reiss Nelson into the first-team.

Still, Patino would also face a lot of competition, so it might make sense to cash in on this academy player for pure profit.