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Ex-Ireland U17 midfielder joins Barcelona B from Arsenal

Teenager Marcus McGuane switched allegiance from the Boys in Green to England in 2015.

United Kingdom: Arsenal v Sunderland - Premier League 2 In action for Arsenal's U23s. SIPA USA / PA Images SIPA USA / PA Images / PA Images

ARSENAL HAVE BEEN known to take the odd, young talent from Barcelona’s La Masia down through the years, but Marcus McGuane is a player heading in the opposite direction.

The 18-year-old midfielder has been with the Gunners since joining as a six-year-old but it has been announced today that he will join Barca B after signing a three-year deal, which includes as €25 million buyout clause.

London-born McGuane represented the Republic of Ireland at U17 level as he qualifies through grandparents hailing from Cork, Limerick and Portlaoise.

At that point going under the surname ‘Agyei-Tabi’, he lined out for the Boys in Green at the U17 European Championships in May 2015.

Marcus Agyei-Tabi McGuane (then known as 'Marcus Agyei-Tabi') featuring for Ireland against the Dutch at the U17 European Championships. Georgi Dimitrov / INPHO Georgi Dimitrov / INPHO / INPHO

However, the teenager opted to switch allegiance to his birth country later that year and he has since gone on to earn caps for England at U17, U18 and U19 level.

McGuane’s contract at Arsenal was due to expire at the end of the season and a number of Europe’s top clubs were reportedly in for him.


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    Mute Ciarán
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    Mar 3rd 2018, 7:49 PM

    Cos we got Salah… Oh mane mane!!

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    Mute Eoin Finnega
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    Mar 3rd 2018, 10:06 PM

    @Ciarán: For now you have Salah.

    The only debate is which big club he will go to in the summer, like every other player that shows some ability at Liverpool.
    It’s ok though, iv made a song for his replacement:
    We’ve got Boufal, MAYBE Mane, no one wants Firmino.

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    Mute Gerry Peyton
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    Mar 3rd 2018, 10:18 PM

    @Eoin Finnega: jaysus that’s a shite song.

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    Mute Ciarán
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    Mar 4th 2018, 12:36 PM

    @Eoin Finnega: I dont care if he goes or not Im enjoying the moment, Try it!! My support is not built around idolising footballers.

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    Mute James Doyle
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    Mar 3rd 2018, 7:55 PM

    Two games in a row now Karius has made great saves to keep LFC ahead. Those of us who had seen something in him to recommend are feeling pretty good about now… Let’s hope he keeps it up, because he’s slowly winning the remaining doubters over.

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    Mute Declan Snow
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    Mar 3rd 2018, 8:02 PM

    @James Doyle: I imagine Klopp has told him to put in the performances til the end of the season to make him not have to sign another keeper. Literally playing for his anfield career

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    Mute Ciarán
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    Mar 3rd 2018, 8:09 PM

    @Declan Snow: He told him he was number one and he wanted him to prove he made the right choice.

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    Mute James Doyle
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    Mar 3rd 2018, 8:18 PM

    @Declan Snow: think myself playing behind VvD has made all the difference. From his debut, Van Dijk has been encouraging Karius to make the area his own. For a young goalie, that must make a huge difference, having a centre half who talks to you and trusts you to take care of things behind him. He’s always had talent, but he just looks more at home now.

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    Mute Declan Snow
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    Mar 3rd 2018, 9:16 PM

    @James Doyle: Ye he certainly looks more confident. When we signed him he was apparently the 2nd best keeper in Germany. Having a big talker infront of him has to help. He just needs to come off his line a bit quicker and be more decisive around that and he’ll be there or there abouts a top keeper.

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    Mute PJ Connolly
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    Mar 3rd 2018, 9:21 PM

    @James Doyle: high opinion of yourself there James if you think it‘s you playing behind VvD that‘s the difference. I‘ve never even noticed you on the pitch.

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    Mute James Doyle
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    Mar 3rd 2018, 10:22 PM

    @PJ Connolly: hur hur. But as the sort of guy who delights in pointing out similar errors in others, I have to give you kudos. Smart assery is always welcome.

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    Mute Aidan
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    Mar 3rd 2018, 8:08 PM

    Exciting times at Liverpool would love see klopp and Liverpool win the league next season. Still Have great chance in champions league

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    Mute Jordo
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    Mar 3rd 2018, 7:58 PM

    Salah for top goalscorer

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    Mute Ollie Watson
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    Mar 3rd 2018, 10:10 PM

    @Jordo: Kane will nick it luckily

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    Mute Laura Walsh
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    Mar 3rd 2018, 9:02 PM

    It’s such a strange feeling as a Liverpool fan to see our keeper make a save like that (Karius has quietly been excellent for weeks now). We’ve been so used to having a poor standard of keeper for a long time now. Van Dijk is an incredible addition to the squad and I won’t hear otherwise, and with Karius stepping up, Liverpool have really really steadied the ship at the back. A few more midfield additions and we are so, so close.

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    Mute Hardly Normal
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    Mar 3rd 2018, 9:36 PM

    @Laura Walsh: what about the ox, he’s coming into his own in a big way too the last few games. He has a fair few assists now too!

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    Mute Laura Walsh
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    Mar 3rd 2018, 10:02 PM

    @Hardly Normal: absolutely love Ox. Just one of those lads that you really want to do well cause he seems so sound. So happy he’s playing well! Say he’s delighted he left the sinking ship.

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    Mute Liverbird
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    Mar 3rd 2018, 8:16 PM

    Good win.great save by Karius in 1st half.onwards and upwards.Salah is a legend.Goes to show how well liverpool are playing when theres a slight sense of dissapointment when they only win by 2.

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    Mute England's Envy
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    Mar 3rd 2018, 8:49 PM

    Salah top scorer shhhhh. This team is on route to becoming one of Liverpools greatest. Y.N.W.A.

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    Mute Conor Pocock
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    Mar 4th 2018, 8:19 AM

    @England’s Envy: huge similarities between your posts and the Anto Whelan pretend Dub troll.

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    Mute Scott Crossfield
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    Mar 3rd 2018, 8:52 PM

    Class again top 4 in the bag now finish 2nd and get a run in Europe

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