ARSENAL are reportedly facing the prospect of losing wonderkid Charlie Patino to Barcelona.
The on-loan teenager’s contract with The Gunners runs out next summer.
Barcelona are closely monitoring the situation as they consider poaching the midfielder.
Italian outlet CalcioMercato claim Patino‘s Spanish father idolises Andres Iniesta and Santi Cazorla.
And the Spanish giants are looking to cash in on this link by convincing Patino to swap The Emirates for the Nou Camp.
Patino, 19, has made two senior Arsenal appearances in the FA Cup and Carabao Cup.
He even notched a goal in the 5-1 demolishing of Sunderland in the latter competition last season.
But with a place in Mikel Arteta’s current side hard to come by Patino went out on loan to Championship side Blackpool.
There he has put in a number of impressive displays, earning recognition for his strong performances including being put into the team of the week.
He has two goals and two assists in 15 games in the Championship this season.
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And while the Hale End youngster may be highly rated, all of Arsenal’s efforts may be for nothing if they do not sort his contract situation.
They already managed to win the race to sign him as a youngster ahead of Chelsea and Manchester City, so Arsenal would certainly not want to see their own labour not come to any tangible reward.
