Arsenal have reportedly extended Charlie Patino's contract to keep him at the club until at least 2025.
The Hale Ender has been tipped to follow Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe and become a regular at the club after making his debut in a Carabao Cup tie against Sunderland last season. The 19-year-old marked his debut with a goal and has continued his development with an impressive first half of the season with Championship side Blackpool.
Patino has made 18 appearances for the Tangerines this season and has forced himself as one of Michael Appleton's key players in midfield. However, whilst he impresses in the Football League, concerns back in north London over his future had grown as his contract was set to expire in summer 2023.
READ MORE: Gabriel Martinelli 'close' to signing new Arsenal contract triggers stunning Bukayo Saka theory
However, following reports that the Gunners had a clause in his contract to extend his current deal by a further two years, GOAL's Charles Watts has today (Saturday) confirmed that the said clause has officially been triggered. Confirming the news on Twitter, Watts said: "Charlie Patino's contract clause has now officially been triggered.
"Deal was due to expire in the summer, but now extended until 2025, but not on fresh terms. Talks will now have to take place over new and improved long-term deal amid widespread interest from elsewhere."
Securing Patino's services rules out the possibility of Arsenal suffering a repeat of Omari Hutchinson. Now at Chelsea, Hutchinson's deal in north London was allowed to expire and their London rivals were quick to snap him up. Barcelona had emerged as a possible suitor for Patino, but the Spanish giants will now have to pay a transfer fee.
The news will hand Mikel Arteta a much-welcomed boost. After handing the academy star his debut last season, the Gunners boss heaped praise on the work the club do at youth level and used Patino as a testament to its success. "I am delighted but that is down to all the work that has been down in the academy and at the club for many years," he said in 2021.
"This is the fruits of that work and now it is about finding the right moments to give opportunities to these kids and finding the space in the squad to be able to do that."
READ NEXT:
Edu can save Arsenal millions and hand Mikel Arteta the perfect squad with three free transfers
Arsenal face triple suspension risk with William Saliba set for new role in West Ham clash
The three things that must happen when Arsenal face West Ham in Premier League return
Arsenal make Mykhaylo Mudryk transfer call after worrying Reiss Nelson injury update
Arsenal news and transfers LIVE: The latest news, rumours and gossip from the Emirates Stadium
