Charlie Patino is expected to leave Arsenal this summer, but his new contract will likely contain a buy-back clause.

Last month, The Athletic’s David Ornstein broke the news that Charlie Patino is set to leave Arsenal permanently this summer.

The midfielder is reportedly keen to play regular first-team football, and the Gunners are unlikely to be able to offer that, particularly given they’re chasing major summer signings.

Patino is also unwilling to make another loan move. A permanent exit seems to be the only real option on the table for him.

Yet that may not be the end of Patino’s Arsenal story, with various sources reporting that a buy-back clause is likely.

Sam Dean of The Telegraph was the first to report that there’s an expectation Arsenal could try to include such a clause as part of any sale this summer.

Simon Collings of the Evening Standard wrote that a buy-back clause being part of any deal is a possibility, and one to watch.

Fabrizio Romano wrote that a buy-back clause “will be discussed”, with strong interest in the 19-year-old from many clubs in England.

Patino has spent the season on loan with Blackpool, making 37 appearances, scoring three goals, and providing four assists.

His loan spell has mostly been spoken about positively despite the disappointment around the team’s relegation.

Before that, the youngster had made his breakthrough into the Arsenal first team last season, with debut appearances in the League Cup and FA Cup.

It looks like an eventual top-tier league debut is going to happen elsewhere.