Arsenal set to be offered former Everton flop as part of shock January swap deal

Arsenal are set to receive a transfer offer from Juventus for young starlet Charlie Patino, according to reports - and will be offered a former Everton player in return.

Posted Monday, January 01, 2024 by sportbible.com

Patino looked set to leave Arsenal in the summer, with The Athletic reporting his desire to leave the club on a permanent deal rather than go out on loan again.

The creative midfielder suffered relegation from the Championship with Blackpool last summer, although was one of their best-performing players.

He did eventually go back out on loan again, though, returning to the second tier to join Swansea.

Despite a solid start to the season, Patino has been in and out of the Swans' team in recent weeks, although has still contributed three goals and four assists in 19 Championship appearances.

But according to Italian outlet Tuttosport, he could be on the move again in the summer.

Juventus sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli is said to have visited London on numerous occasions in recent months to scout Tottenham star Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg.

Football scout Michele Fratini told the outlet of his belief that Patino is 'perhaps Arsenal's greatest youth player', and is 'among the 50 strongest youth players in the world'. It is also claimed that the 20-year-old will return to the Emirates Stadium this summer.

Both Juventus and AC Milan are said to be leading the race for his signature - if Arsenal are willing to sell.

Tuttosport report that Juve will attempt to sign Patino as early as January - Arsenal have a recall clause in Patino's contract with Swansea, according to football.london - and will propose the sale of former Everton forward Moise Kean to the Gunners in order to bypass the reported €20 million asking price.

Italy international Kean arrived at Everton in 2019 to much fanfare, with the then 19-year-old rated as one of the top prospects in world football.

Things didn't work out for him on Merseyside, with just four goals in 39 games for the club across three seasons.

He scored eight goals in all competitions for Juve upon his return last season, although has yet to find the net this season amid struggles for game time and injuries.

But his versatility may appeal to Gunners manager Mikel Arteta, with Kean able to play on both wings, as a centre forward and as a second striker. Whether the Spaniard is willing to sell Patino, though, is another matter.