Arsenal have reportedly negotiated a deal for one of their academy graduates to sign for a former Spanish giant.
Arsenal have reportedly agreed a fee with Deportivo La Coruna for Charlie Patino.
When the midfielder burst onto the scene in 2021-22, comparisons were instantly made to former Gunners favourite Jack Wilshere.
However, instead of becoming a mainstay of Mikel Arteta‘s squad, Patino would be loaned out having made just two first-team appearances.
Loan spells have since been spent in the Championship with Blackpool and Swansea City, accumulating 32 starts and 25 substitute outings in all competitions.
Nevertheless, despite gaining suitable experience in the second tier of English football, it has been reported for a number of months that the 20-year-old would not be reintegrated back into the senior ranks at the Emirates Stadium.
That was confirmed during pre-season as Patino failed to make a single outing, and it now appears that he will be soon plying his trade in Spain.
© Reuters
Deportivo to win race for Patino?
According to The Mirror, Arsenal and Deportivo have reached a compromise over a transfer fee for the England Under-21 international.
Arsenal are in line to recoup £1m for the academy graduate, as well as possessing what is described as a ‘significant’ sell-on clause.
Patino is yet to agree personal terms, that potentially dependent on whether any other clubs make a formal approach for his signature.
© Reuters
Where do Deportivo now stand in Spanish football?
Between 1999 and 2006, Deportivo were deemed to be one of the top teams in La Liga, famously lifting their only top-flight trophy in 1999-00.
A Copa del Rey triumph followed two years later, while they also spent five successive years in the Champions League, reaching the semi-finals in 2003-04 before losing 1-0 on aggregate to eventual winners Porto.
Deportivo may have not played top-flight football since 2017-18 but they are now back in the second tier having won Group 1 of the Primera Federacion last season.
The hope is that another promotion campaign can be put together, the team captained by well-travelled attacker Lucas Perez who contributed a remarkable 15 goals and 19 assists in league fixtures during 2023-24.
However, Imanol Idiakez’s side started the new season with a 1-0 defeat at home to Real Oviedo on Saturday.