"A stepping stone" - Ray Parlour issues Charlie Patino, Swansea City summer transfer prediction | OneFootball

Arsenal icon turned pundit Ray Parlour has revealed that he could see Charlie Patino joining Swansea City on a permanent deal from the Gunners in the summer.

The midfielder has been plying his trade in the Championship over the past two seasons; previously with Blackpool and now with the Swans.

He was beloved by the Tangerine Army, but chances have been a bit harder to come by this season in South Wales.

The Athletic reported last summer that Arsenal had activated a clause which extended the then teenager's deal to the summer of 2025, but that he wasn't part of Mikel Arteta's future plans.

He was expected to be moved on permanently last summer, but he ended up with Swansea on a temporary basis.

Patino's destiny of departing the Gunners on a permanent basis seems to be edging ever closer, although transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has said that a decision on his future is likely to be made at the end of the season.

The likes of Juventus are queuing up to get the 20-year-old, if he is made available, according to Italian reports.

Ray Parlour on Charlie Patino's Arsenal future amid Swansea City loan spell

Despite the uncertainty around his Arsenal future, and the links to a move abroad, Parlour believes that a summer return to Swansea on a full-time basis could be good for the youngster, if he is enjoying life there.

Speaking exclusively to Football League World, via NetBet Online Betting, Parlour said: "There is nothing wrong with signing for Swansea and I could see this happening.

"If Charlie has enjoyed his time at Swansea and feels comfortable with the set-up and the style of play, then it can be a good move.

"Playing week in week out is key at his age and this can be a stepping stone to the Premier League.

"Learning through the ranks at Arsenal will give Charlie the best chance to succeed in his career and with the Championship very competitive, this can be a good move for him.

"I do suspect quite a few clubs will be interested in his signature, but it’s so important he chooses the right time and set-up for him.

"It will be good to watch how he progresses as he is a super talent with a good football brain."

What went wrong for Charlie Patino at Arsenal?

Patino was once considered to be on the same rough trajectory as many of the other top Hale End academy products that Arsenal have produced in recent seasons.

He was described by the club's head of scouting, Sean O'Connor, as being the: "best player who has ever walked through the doors at Hale End," as per the Daily Mail.

But, unlike Emile Smith Rowe and Eddie Nketiah, who also had a few loan spells in the EFL, his chance in the Gunners' first team doesn't appear to be coming.

A large reason for this is the timing. When Smith-Rowe and Nketiah came into the Arsenal first-team squad, it was one that was down on its knees and lacking in talent.

Now that Patino - who scored on his debut for the Gunners as an 18-year-old - is coming towards that stage of his career where he's had a few loan moves and should be looking for regular first-team action, the current Arsenal side are challenging for the Premier League, and the Champions League, and the chances of him getting into the team are slim to none.

The timing of his rise just didn't coincide well with the club's, and thus a player who was considered to be the future of the club is now expected to be moved on.