Barcelona steal Arsenal wonder kid Marcus McGuane

Barcelona seem to be in full force this transfer season as they seem to not only bolster their current squad, but to get in future stars as well. Their latest transfer comes from Arsenal in Marcus McGuane.

The 18-year old completed his move from Arsenal to Barcelona after agreeing a two-and-a-half-year deal with an option to extend it for a further two years to join the La Liga giants’ second team.

The former Ireland player came through Arsenal’s youth ranks after joining at under-six level. Now playing for England Under-19s, Marcus has played twice for the first team this season; the Europa League matches against Red Star Belgrade and Bate Borisov.

McGuane would initially join the junior Segunda side, Barcelona B only to be later progressed to the Barcelona first team. Barcelona B won promotion to the second division of Spanish football last season and are currently in 18th place of the table, only outside of the relegation zone due to the goal difference.

In a statement released by Barcelona, it claimed- “McGuane’s deal will keep him at Barça for three seasons, plus two option years. The buy-out clause has been set at €25m.”

Apart from making big money transfer of Philippe Countinho, Ousmane Dembele and Yerry Mina, Barcelona have invested in the youth as well. They recently signed an 18-year-old from Ivory Coast playing for MLS team Montreal Impact, Ballou Jean-Yves Tabla. The Catalans have also recruited Martin Hogla, Christian Rivera and Matias Nahuel in Barcelona B.

The pathway between Barcelona and Arsenal has long been used by stars in the past, with the likes of Cesc Fabregas, Hector Bellerin, Theirry Henry and Alexis Sanchez all using it at some point.

Many people in Barcelona are quite unhappy with the way Arsene Wenger has snatched promising academy players from Barcelona in the past. Cesc Fabregas was the most famous example, as Wenger took him as a 16-year old and turned him into a star.

Bellerin is the last one who made this path from Barcelona to the Emirates, as the right back has flourished under the tutelage of the great Frenchman.

Wonder how Wenger feels about Barcelona taking one of his prized assets!