Arsenal fear Arteta is making transfer blunder, with new plan to rescue calamitous exit revealed

Arsenal are seemingly having second thoughts over an anticipated summer exit, and Fabrizio Romano has revealed how they intend to save face in what could be a transfer calamity.

Just as intriguing as who arrives at the Emirates this summer is who will leave. Two exits have already been confirmed in the form of Pablo Mari (Monza) and Ainsley Maitland-Niles (free agent). Goal listed 12 others who could depart and among them is academy graduate, Charlie Patino.

The 19-year-old is one of the brightest prospects Arsenal’s academy has produced in recent years. Patino has represented England at youth level all the way from Under-15s to Under-20s.

Patino has spent the current campaign on loan at Championship side Blackpool where the midfielder has been a regular starter.

However, rather than Arsenal benefit from the experience he’s gained, the Athletic’s David Ornstein recently reported Patino is primed to leave the club for good this summer.

Patino craves regular first-team football and per Ornstein, won’t get it under Arteta. As such, Arsenal are receptive to his sale, though now appear to be getting cold feet.

That’s because of an update from transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, with the trusted journalist detailing Arsenal’s plan to save face.

Arsenal to push for key clause

Indeed, Romano tweeted Arsenal will now “try to include a buy-back clause” into any deal they negotiate. A buy-back clause generally allows a selling club to re-purchase a player for a set fee at a specified time in the future.

It’s viewed as something of an insurance policy by clubs who have a feeling the player in question may go on to make it big. In Patino’s case, that appears to be a very real possibility.

Romano echoed Ornstein’s claims that Patino is “set to leave” Arsenal. However, a handy buy-back clause – if successfully inserted – should allow Arsenal to avert disaster if Patino realises his true potential.

On the subject of where the midfielder might go, the fact he holds a Spanish passport through his father makes a move abroad more viable that it otherwise would have been.

In any case, his exit will come via the permanent route and not another loan.

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