Swansea City sign highly-rated Arsenal starlet Charlie Patino on season-long loan

Swansea City have signed Arsenal youngster Charlie Patino on a season-long loan.

The highly-rated 19-year-old has become the club’s seventh signing of the summer. He will wear the number 18 shirt in SA1.

Patino spent the previous campaign on loan at Blackpool, where he scored three goals in 37 appearances.

He also played alongside fellow new arrival Jerry Yates, who opened his Swansea account with a well-taken strike against Birmingham City on the opening day.

Patino is rated highly by the Gunners, having made two appearances for the club during the 2021-22 season. He even scored a late goal off the bench against Sunderland in the Carabao Cup in the December of that campaign.

Barcelona were credited with an interest in the youngster back in November, but it’s Swansea who have now completed a move.

Patino is contracted with the Gunners until 2025, but Mikel Arteta clearly doesn’t quite believe the midfielder is fully ready for regular first-team football, and a spell with the Swans has been seen as the best next step, despite previous suggestions of a possible permanent sale.

As well as former Tangerines team-mate Yates, Patino’s arrival comes on the back of moves for Josh Ginnelly, Josh Key, Mykola Kukharevych, Harrison Ashby and Carl Rushworth.

The teenager is in contention to make his debut on Saturday for the trip to West Bromwich Albion, although the club could yet add another new face before the Baggies come to town.

Talks over a possible loan move for Chelsea centre-back Bashir Humphreys are ongoing, and the club are hopeful of getting a deal over the line.

Left-back Nathan Tjoe-A-On is also a figure of interest as Swansea continue their search for an option to replace Ryan Manning, who left on a free transfer earlier in the summer.

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Swansea City fans could be forgiven for getting a little excited after the recruitment of new loan signing Charlie Patino from Arsenal.

The 19-year-old hardly pulled up any trees in terms of results when he was sent out to Blackpool – who were relegated last season – but the devil is in the detail.

Patino managed to get through 34 Championship matches for the Tangerines, so durability does not look a problem, whilst the Swans have a decent record of success when it comes to loan deals from Premier League clubs in London.

Marc Guehi was a hit in defence when he came from Chelsea, Conor Gallagher won rave reviews in midfield when he was sent from Stamford Bridge, and although Tammy Abraham struggled for goals, there was sufficient quality to show he had a bright future.

Cardiff City are also looking for their first Championship victory of the season, when they host QPR at the Cardiff City Stadium.

The Bluebirds gave away a two-goal lead at Leeds United on the opening day and then did the same at home to Colchester in the Carabao Cup, before going through on penalties.

Manager Erol Bulut says: “We gave away two soft goals, and those were down to two individual mistakes.

“For this, we have to work a little bit individually to make sure the opponent does not get past us. We have to work on and correct these individual mistakes.”

Bulut still wants to bring in more players in this transfer window, but the club cannot pay fees at present because of their current transfer ban.

In League Two, both Newport County and Wrexham, are looking to bounce back after opening day defeats.

County are at home to Doncaster Rovers with manager Graham Coughlan still eager to add to his squad following Sam Bowen’s loan switch to Wealdstone.

Wrexham are on the road for the first time in League Two, at AFC Wimbledon, hoping to make amends for their opening day 5-3 defeat at home to MK Dons.

Star striker Paul Mullin is still recovering from a punctured lung, so will not be available, but manager Phil Parkinson believes he has adequate options to cover the absence of last season’s top scorer.

“We have got a competitive squad and it is about when you get a chance, that they prove they want to stay in the team,” said Parkinson.