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Barcelona sign Arsenal youngster Marcus McGuane for Barca B

Barcelona have confirmed the signing of England youth international Marcus McGuane from Arsenal.

McGuane, 18, underwent a medical on Tuesday and will join Barcelona's B team, who play in Spanish football's second tier.

He has signed a three-and-a-half year deal and his buyout clause has been fixed at €25 million.

A midfielder capped by England at under-17, 18 and 19 levels, McGuane made his first-team debut for Arsenal earlier this season, coming on as a substitute in a Europa League game against BATE Borisov.

Born in Greenwich, south London, he joined the Gunners as a six-year-old and progressed through the Hale End Academy.

He was captain of Arsenal's under-18 team last season and has been a regular in the under-23s this term.

Arsenal had hoped to tie him down to a new deal with his terms up in the summer, but he held off on signing and has instead opted to move to Spain.

McGuane's arrival at the Camp Nou comes at a time when the focus is firmly on Barca B's recruitment strategy.

Fighting a relegation battle, they have now signed five players this month -- McGuane follows Ballou Jean-Yves Tabla, Martin Hongla, Christian Rivera and Nahuel in -- rather than turning to La Masia.

As a result, talented midfielder Sergio Gomez is on the verge of leaving for Borussia Dortmund, who will pay his €3 million buyout clause, because he feels there are too many obstacles to progression at Barca.

Jordi Mboula and Eric Garcia took similar decisions in the summer, leaving for Monaco and Manchester City respectively.

Barca B, who have won their last two matches to move out of the drop zone, are next in action on Sunday when they travel to Cordoba.

McGuane could make his debut in that game, but it is more likely he will have to wait, with games against Alcorcon and Lugo to follow.