The Spanish football federation are keen to convince Charlie Patino to play for them instead of England at senior level, according to a report.

Cadena Ser write that the Spanish football federation are on Charlie Patino’s case, and they’ve already begun work to convince him to join them over the England national team when he reaches senior international football.

Patino is eligible for Spain through his Spanish father, though he was born and raised in England.

The Arsenal 17-year-old has played for the England youth teams so far, even facing off against Spain as the captain of the England u17s in late 2019. But that’s obviously the convenient option whilst he’s living and playing in England for his club.

It’s a different matter once you get to senior football, as you know you have to stick with whichever decision you make.

It’s no longer a case of just picking the best option in terms of logistics and your development, you have to pick the country you want to represent on the world stage. Perhaps also the country that are most likely to give you the opportunity to represent them.

Spain and England are two big footballing nations, so there’s unlikely to be a huge difference in Patino’s number of call-ups depending on which he chooses. But it’s hard to say how he feels about where his heart lies.

We’re probably all getting ahead of ourselves here. The teenager is yet to make his Arsenal senior debut – albeit amid rumours he might make the squad this week – and he’s yet to play in the upper age groups for England.

A senior international debut for either England or Spain is still a way off yet.