Young Arsenal midfielder Charlie Patino is attracting interest from clubs in England and abroad due to his brilliant form on loan at Blackpool.
The 19-year-old has massively impressed since making his Gunners debut in a Carabao Cup tie against Sunderland last December, a game in which he scored in. Mikel Arteta sanctioned a loan move to Blackpool in the summer to further his development and the central midfielder has blossomed under the tutelage of Michael Appleton at the Championship side.
The Hale Ender's form has been so good that Barcelona are one of a number of clubs reportedly keeping a close eye on the youngster, with his contract situation yet to be resolved. Patino's contract is set to expire at the end of this season, although Arsenal have the option for a two-year extension before a certain point in the coming months.
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However, football.london understands that the Gunners are yet to trigger this option. It's understood that no new contract offer has been made to the youngster while he has been out on loan as of yet.
Italian outlet Calcio Mercato reports Spanish giants Barcelona are also keeping an eye on the situation. The fact Patino has a Spanish passport would understandably help any potential move.
If Edu does not move quickly, the Gunners may face losing Patino for nothing when his contract runs out at the end of the season. The youngster has made 15 appearances for Blackpool in the Championship, scoring twice and assisting a further two.
football.london has previously reported that Arsenal are unlikely to trigger the January recall clause in his loan move. Whatever happens come now and the summer, it's clear what Mikel Arteta thinks of the teenager.
"It was a beautiful moment," Arteta said after watching Patino score on his Arsenal debut against Sunderland last December. "He's a kid who has come through our system.
"He's training with us almost every week and it was a dream. To score at the Emirates in front of our fans - a really special moment."
Asked about the hype around the youngster, Arteta added: "I've seen it around the club. I think it's very positive. They care about him, they know what he can become. Let's cook him slowly. Today was a good start I think.
"He still has a lot of competition in front of him, he's really young and he still needs to go step by step. Today he was lucky, he got the opportunity and he took it really well."
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