Arsenal have lost another highly-regarded youngster with the departure of Marcus McGuane to Barcelona.
The 18-year-old midfielder has signed a three-year deal to play with the club’s B team, with a further two option years in his deal.
Barcelona have set a buyout clause in McGuane’s contract at £22million. The transfer fee is undisclosed.
England youth international McGuane has made two appearances for Arsene Wenger’s senior side in the Europa League this season, totalling 12 minutes, but opted not to extend a contract that was due to expire at the end of the season.
Arsenal had held the versatile midfielder in high regard, refering to McGuane as one of their "magnificent seven" in a feature on the rising stars of their youth setup only a few days ago.
But they had faced competition to convince him to sign an extension. Manchester United and Juventus had also targeted McGuane, who follows Chris Willock and Kaylen Hinds in opting to leave the Arsenal youth setup for the continent.
Notably Willock was targeted by Manchester City but opted to make a move to Benfica, where he has been a regular in the club’s B team which plays in the Portuguese second tier.
