Arsenal look set to lose midfield prodigy Charlie Patino in the summer after it emerged the 19-year-old could leave the club permanently.
The box-to-box midfielder has spent the season on loan at Blackpool with the Championship and has impressed on an individual level. However, his displays have not stopped them being relegated back to League One.
It was initially reported by The Athletic's David Ornstein that the club was open to facilitating a move away from north London, with Patino said to be unwilling to move temporarily and instead seek stability with a permanent home somewhere else.
READ MORE: Arsenal can learn from $38.6m Unai Emery transfer mistake as talks held over move
In the Premier League, Arsenal have secured their spot in next season's Champions League and remain in with a shout to win the league. This summer is expected to be a huge one for the club, with sporting director Edu Gaspar looking to bolster Mikel Arteta's midfield options - meaning guaranteed minutes are unavailable for Patino.
A permanent move elsewhere due to the lack of first-team action is the main reason for Patino's decision and it could be one we could see occur again this summer with Folarin Balogun.
The striker has enjoyed a superb season in Ligue 1 with Reims, scoring 19 goals in all competition. The New York native will hold crunch talks with the Gunners over the summer to determine an outcome regarding his future. It has been reported that Balogun, like Patino, will refute another loan spell away and will seek a new challenge elsewhere should he not be prioritised by Arteta.
"Contractually I have to go back," he told the official Ligue 1 website. "Because the loan was only for one year so that was always the agreement. But I wouldn't, um, I'm not sure what is going to happen in the future.
"A lot could happen in football, a lot could change, and it just depends on the conversations we have between me and the club in the summer, and we'll see what happens."
Arsenal will be faced with the possibility of losing two of their most-talented prospects in the summer. Arteta has the job of convincing Balogun that he will be part of his plans next season or accept Balogun's fate elsewhere.
READ NEXT:
Latest Arsenal injury news as three miss Chelsea with Saliba update and Tomiyasu blow
Arsenal told to avoid perfect Mauricio Pochettino Chelsea signing with transfer warning
How Chelsea can beat Arsenal in title repeat with 2 Lampard undroppables and Pochettino audition
Arsenal US tour 2023: How to buy tickets for Manchester United friendly and sale date
Arsenal make huge Man United announcement for USA pre-season tour
