Arsenal are set to lose a “serious player” if they offload midfielder Charlie Patino this summer, according to Rio Ferdinand.

Trusted journalist David Ornstein claims the Gunners are willing to sanction the sale of the 19-year-old, who is keen to leave the Emirates on a permanent basis in search of first-team football. Ferdinand believes the London club may regret the departure of such a talented footballer:

“I think he’s a serious player. I think with the ball, there’s been no doubts whether he’s technically ridiculous. Obviously, Arsenal wanted to trigger a clause that they could keep him and [he] signs another extension till 2025. I think it’s testament to the kid. I think young kids, it’s a big point in their career.”

“Sometimes, when a club offers you a deal, it’s not always the best-case scenario to stay and wait and wait, and wait. I think, sometimes when you go out on loan, you get that taste of playing men’s football and in front of fans, stadiums and to think you’re going to back and play [Under] 23s football, sometimes, it’s like, ‘I can’t go back to that’.”

As Ferdinand says himself, it appears Patino’s patience for playing opportunities at his parent club has run out. He has been playing regularly for Blackpool in the Championship this season but his numbers suggest that he isn’t ready to make the step up to the Premier League.

Two goals and four assists in 36 appearances is a decent return, especially for a holding midfielder, but it’s clear that Arsenal would have liked him to go out on loan again next campaign.

With Patino seemingly intent on a permanent departure, the only thing the Gunners can do now is to include a buyback clause in the agreement with the player’s next club.