Arsenal Transfer News: Wonderkid Charlie Patino Eyed, Petr Cech Decision Close

Arsenal are a club well versed in ensuring they have a classy crop of young players to pick from, but it seems as though the Gunners could be going to extreme lengths to ensure their future is bright, with reports suggesting they are chasing an 11-year-old sensation.

According to the Neil Ashton of the Daily Mail (h/t The Telegraph) the young man is Charlie Patino. He’s currently showing staggering potential at Luton Town and, according to the piece, Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur are all willing to splash £10,000 to bring him to their respective academies.

Clive Mason/Getty Images

His father Julio revealed he and Charlie’s mother Katy want to do what’s best for their son's ambition of becoming a professional footballer, per Ashton’s piece:

"

We just want what’s best for Charlie, to give him the best chance of being a professional footballer if that is what he wants to do.

He is a dedicated boy, he works hard at school, gets good grades and is committed to playing football. He just loves it.

"

Both of his parents are Spanish and the young man’s favourite team is Barcelona, a team his father claims has influenced his style of play.

Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images

Patino is compared to current Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere, who was also on Luton’s books. However, things aren’t going too well for the England midfielder at the moment after bursting onto the scene as a 16-year-old, as The Telegraph’s Thom Gibbs discussed with Bleacher report:

According to Ashton’s piece, the youngster's parents have already visited the respective training complexes of all the aforementioned sides and will take their time in making any decision. For a lad who is clearly crazy about football, it seems as though his dreams are about to come true.

Petr Cech to Decide Between Gunners and PSG

Michael Regan/Getty Images

Chelsea’s legendary goalkeeper looks set to leave Stamford Bridge this summer, with Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain reportedly locked in a straight fight for his services, per Adrian Kajumba of the Daily Mirror.

According to the piece, the 32-year-old is “edging closer to a decision” regarding his next club, but he is “leaning towards” a move to the Emirates. However, it is also noted that the player’s advisers are nudging him toward the Parisians and the French champions are ready to exceed any offer put forward by the Gunners.

As we can see here courtesy of OptaJoe, Cech has been one of the finest goalkeepers in the history of the Premier League:

For Arsenal, he’d be a magnificent signing, especially for the £10 million asking price Chelsea are reportedly holding out for. He’s still relatively young in goalkeeping terms, has proven himself to be a superb leader and, as illustrated by the many honours he has won with the Blues, is a thoroughbred winner too.

Clive Mason/Getty Images

In short, despite being ousted by the simply sensational Thibaut Courtois, Cech is still one of the very best around, as noted by SamuelJayC:

The Gunners definitely have a void that needs filling between the sticks. While David Ospina has done a decent job in goal since replacing the talented but erratic Wojciech Szczesny, Cech is a cut above and would bring so many desirable facets to this Arsenal team in addition to his fundamental goalkeeping skills.

If the player is keen on a transfer to the Emirates, it really is a deal the Gunners should look to get wrapped up sooner rather than later. Of course, the lucrative sums offered by PSG are enough to entice anyone, but Cech is a level-headed character and will surely appreciate an opportunity to stay localised and remain in the Premier League.