Football Scout Michele Fratini has revealed that Arsenal youngster Charlie Patino is a ‘diamond’ that clubs should be willing to ‘do crazy things’ to sign in a recent interview.
Fratini has previously spotted the likes of Nuri Sahim and Mesut Ozil, and was named the best talent scout of 2023 in Italy. Quizzed on who he would reccomend to Italian football now, he had plenty of high praise for Patino, who is currently under contract at Arsenal until 2025 and is spending this season out on loan with Swansea City.
“Maybe I think it’s too late to recommend him, but I can’t help it: Charlie Patino, class of 2003, owned by Arsenal. He’s one of the greatest midfielders around. Left-footed, has innate class and is complete, as he’s adept at recovering balls as well”, he explained to Goalist Italy.
“Plays long balls well and has an excellent long range shot. I put five stars on him. He’s a diamond. I saw him two years ago, but now he’s consecrating himself by taking over Arsenal, one of the biggest teams in England. For him, if I were a chairman, I’d do crazy things”, he added.
Patino was reportedly ready to quit the Emirates Stadium this summer on a permanent basis, but for one reason or another opted for another loan spell in the Championship.
After spending last season with Blackpool, he is instead with the Swans for this season and has already made a massive impression on the Welsh side, with three assists to his name in four games despite his side picking up just one point in a tricky start to the campaign defensively.
