Arsenal are reportedly keen to possess the option to re-sign Charlie Patino at a later date.
Since making his senior debut in December 2021, the 19-year-old has been regarded as one of the Gunners' top prospects, and there has been an expectation that he would eventually become part of the senior ranks on a permanent basis.
A season-long loan spell at Blackpool was only supposed to benefit all parties, the midfielder making 28 starts and six substitute appearances in the Championship.
However, it was recently claimed that the England Under-20 international was eager to secure a transfer away from the Emirates Stadium this summer.
Patino is said to want to establish himself at another club, rather than reverting back to being a fringe squad member at Arsenal or handed a second loan.
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As a result, it appears highly likely that Patino's current stint at the North Londoners will come to an end after just two appearances in the first team.
However, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Arsenal are not in any rush to relinquish full control of Patino's future at this stage of his career.
Romano says that the Arsenal board will try to insist on a buy-back clause being included in any proposal if they are to agree to a sale.
Patino arrived at Arsenal in 2015, subsequently meaning that the Premier League giants have invested in his development and would prefer to have the option to have the prospect in their squad in the future.
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Arsenal recently activated a two-year option in Patino's contract, keeping the playmaker tied to the club until the end of 2024-25.
Nevertheless, Mikel Arteta may be in favour of cashing in on Patino for the time being in order to boost his funds for the summer market.
The Spaniard allegedly has his sights set on signing the likes of West Ham United's Declan Rice and Brighton & Hove Albion's Moises Caicedo, potentially needing in excess of £150m to get those two deals over the line.
In order to help facilitate such an extravagant double approach, Arsenal are reportedly willing to part ways with as many as 11 players before the end of August.
Darren Plant
