Marcus McGuane is being lined up for a new contract currently, with Arsenal keen to secure his future with the club.
The 18 year-old made his senior debut for the Gunners in last week’s Europa League victory over Bate Borisov, coming from the bench to replace Reiss Nelson, and is being tipped to make the step-up into the first-team squad.
McGuane has been training with the senior side this term, as well as starring for the Under-23 side, and is believed to be highly-rated in North London.
Juventus and Manchester United are said to be keen on poaching the versatile youngster, who is into the final year of his two-year scholarship with the club, but Arsenal are keen on securing him to a new long-term contract.
Our club has a few too many players running down their current deals this season, and losing McGuane would only make things worse.
The midfielder is able to play out wide or in central defence, but is most adept to playing just in front of the defence, but has been improving his play up the pitch this season also.
The youngster was recently persuaded to change his international allegiances to play for England’s Under 19s, having previously played for Ireland’s youth sides.
McGuane will be hoping to become the latest youngster to become a permanent first-team regular since Alex Iwobi broke into the side in during last season, but he is currently behind Maitland-Niles and Reiss Nelson in the race for prominence.
Nelson has only come to the fore this term, and is being tipped to be the next biggest star to come up through our ranks, and could well be in line for a new contract in the near future also, with just over 18 months remaining on his current deal.
How crucial is it to keep McGuane from joining a rival? Can he make the jump to the first-team this term?
Pat J