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The phrase ‘football is a business’ is almost beyond cliché in modern times. The link between football and money is as strong as ever, but one part of the game that was previously shielded from a business mentality, was youth development. Not any more.

This week it was announced that Arsenal had agreed to sign 16-year-old Jon Miquel Toral Harper from Barcelona. The Gunners took advantage of employment laws in Spain to offer the player a contract before the Catalan club were legally allowed to. It stirred more bad blood between the two clubs, which began with deals for Cesc Fàbregas in 2003 and Fran Mérida in 2005.

This particular transfer didn’t anger Barça as much as others suggest, though. The player himself asked to leave last year and previously admitted it was his ‘dream’ to play in England. However, it once again raised the question of youth transfers.

President Sandro Rosell was asked for his view, and made valid points on the morality of such deals. He then made the following statement.

“There are two philosophies; ours is to invest in La Masia and the other is to fish all over Europe for kids like Arsenal.”

The point is an interesting one, but the distinction between whether the comment is a negative or a positive comes with the understanding of the word ‘invest’. Rosell says the opposite of Barça’s philosophy is to sign kids from all of Europe.

So why would his club do deals for for Besiktas’ 12-year-old Muhammad Demirci and 7-year-old Lyon kid Kais. Not to mention hand trials to 8-year-old Finnish starlet Oliver Antman, or 9-year-old Canadian Giancarlo Patina? Those are just some examples. A glance at the Cadete A side, which Toral played for, shows 7 non-EU players and the Cadete B side shows 9 non-EU players.

That’s not to mention Lionel Messi or Thiago Alcântara, both signed from South American countries at tender ages and now both part of the Barcelona first team.

You could argue that those are very young players, and the real bone of contention is trying to ‘fish’ for older youngsters. Those who have been developed by the club for a number of years. 16 or 17 year olds for example. Rosell agrees.

“We don’t like it that clubs come in with offers of money just before they turn 16. For us it’s very important to keep this group of kids who have grown up together.”

Then why did Barcelona approach 17-year-old Benik Afobe and Chuks Aneke last season? Both had been scouted playing for England and the Catalan club made moves via their agents, offering them a move to Spain.

Rosell says he doesn’t like clubs who offer money to those around 16, as its important to keep groups of kids together. Yet Barcelona did exactly that. Does that mean he doesn’t like his own club?

It seems the term ‘investment’ and ‘fishing for kids’ can mean two totally different things, depending on your argument. Yet if one club is at fault, then every club is at fault.

The laws regarding the signing of youth players without doubt need to be tightened up, but the hypocrisy Barcelona show on the matter is frightening.

Arsenal’s relationship with Barcelona became a little more strained this week, with the news that Jon Miquel Toral Harper will swap Spain for England in the summer. He is the third player to do so in the last eight years.

Cesc Fàbregas in 2003 and then Fran Mérida in 2005 were all prize assets in Cataluñya, but both took advantage of contract rules in Spain to sign for Arsenal. Nominal fees were paid in compensation. Those deals, plus Barça’s long running attempts to re-sign Fàbregas, have left a bitter taste between the two clubs.

The story of Jon Miquel Toral Harper is an interesting one, though.

The youngster joined Barcelona’s La Masia academy system four years ago, aged 12. He is the son of an English woman from Manchester, who married Reus, a Spaniard who provided language lessons to foreigners. He rose through the youth ranks in Spain and was quickly sounded out as a top talent by the technical staff at Barça. They informed senior members of the board to keep an eye out on the prospect, as they felt he had outstanding potential.

However, relations in the past few months have soured. Toral had previously made it clear he wanted to move to England, much to the anger of the staff that had previously called him “the pearl of the Cadete A side”. Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City had all previously been in touch, and because of the lack of commitment the player had shown, they refused to make a counter off to make him stay.

Jon’s agent is Pep Guardiola’s brother, Pere. Contrary to reports, he tried desperately to convince the player to stay, as did technical secretary Albert Puig. Yet when the offer arrived from Arsenal, he refused to listen to either, and signed the contract.

His last game was a few weeks ago, when the Cadete ‘A’ side faced Catalan minnows UD Cornellà. He scored a hat-trick in that game, but was told he wasn’t welcome at La Masia after, with his impending move to Arsenal close to be signed and sealed.

Toral is a deep lying central attacking midfielder. He is comfortable with either foot but predominantly prefers his left. He has been noted for his excellent physique, which has seen him dominate many youth games. Off the pitch, many describe Jon as a mature and hard working young man.

Barcelona are understandably furious with Arsenal signing the Spanish Under 16 international. However, the transfer is not as clear cut as they make out, and with them approaching both Arsenal’s Benik Afobe and Chuks Aneke last year, their complaints over the ‘poaching’ of youth talent smacks of double standards.

Toral will cost Arsenal €350,000 in compensation.

Editors Note: With thanks to David Cartlidge of SpanishFootball.info

Arsenal are mulling over Cardiff City’s offer to extend Aaron Ramsey’s loan until the end of the season. Ramsey’s current deal is due to expire after Saturday’s game with Hull City.

The Welshman returned to the Cardiff line up following injury for their Championship clash with Leicester City on Tuesday. Aaron played the full 90 minutes and scored the second goal in a 2-0 win. The 20-year-old had one of his best games yet but is still lacking a little sharpness, according to manager Dave Jones.

Arsène Wenger must now decide whether he will allow Ramsey to keep working on his fitness with Bluebirds, or recall him, with a large number of first-team fixtures approaching in the coming weeks.

Ramsey has made 5 appearances for Cardiff since joining them in January.

Arsenal have agreed to sign Barcelona midfielder Jon Miquel Toral, according to Catalan radio stadio Rac1. A fee of €350,000 wil change hands between the two clubs in the summer.

Toral is a current Spanish Under 16 international and is a regular for Barça’s ‘Cadete A’ side, which will take on Arsenal’s Under 18′s at the Dallas Cup in the summer. Arsenal met with the players English mother last month, and the family have agreed on a deal.

Rac1 also report a similar approach was made for Toral’s midfield partner Sergi Samper, although this was immediately rejected.

The €350,000 fee is a training allowance, which is seen as a good will gesture by Arsenal. However, the signing of another of Barcelona’s prize assets will no doubt anger the Spanish Champions once more.

You can view a video of Toral in action here.

Ignasi Miquel will make his debut for Arsenal against Leyton Orient in the sixth round of the FA Cup this afternoon.

The 18-year-old, who captains Arsenal’s Reserve team, enjoyed a brief spell in the first-team squad earlier in the season, making the bench for the Carling Cup semi-final with Ipswich Town and then for the Leeds United game in the fourth round of the FA Cup.

Ignasi has never played under Arsène Wenger since his transfer from UD Cornella, but has trained with the first team on a number of occasions.

He will wear the number 48 shirt.

Welcome to this weekends Loanees Watch – Young Guns’ analysis, reports and updates on the progress of the young starlets currently plying their trade away from the Emirates Stadium. You can read all the latest reports below.

Carlos Vela came off the bench to play the final 20 minutes as West Brom drew 1-1 with Wolves. Vela came on with the Baggies 1-0 down, but immediately helped raise Roy Hodgson’s side. He first tested Hennessey with a right footed drive from the edge of the box, before finishing from close range in the 91st minute after Hennessey spilled James Morrison’s shot. The point was key in West Brom’s battle to avoid relegation.

Kyle Bartley played the full 90 minutes as Rangers lost 3-0 to Celtic in the Old Firm derby. Bartley was rested from The Gers’ Europa League clash with Sporting Lisbon for this game, but he looked a sluggish at times in a central midfield role as The Hoops cruised to victory.

Jay Emmanuel-Thomas came off the bench and played the final 34 minutes as Cardiff City lost 2-1 to Nottingham Forest. Emmanuel-Thomas did have two excellent chances to score, both from long range efforts which Lee Camp saved. Aaron Ramsey was not included in the squad.

Henri Lansbury started and played 74 minutes for Norwich City as they drew 2-2 with Leeds United. Lansbury scored the Norwich equaliser on the stroke of half time, volleying home from inside the box. Henri then delighted the crowd with one of his trade mark dances. He was replaced in the second half after looking tired.

Sanchez Watt missed Leeds United’s 2-2 with Norwich City through injury.

Vito Mannone missed Hull City’s 1-1 draw with Ipswich Town through injury.

Craig Eastmond was an unused substitute as Millwall lost 3-2 to Middlesbrough.

Benik Afobe came off the bench to play the final 17 minutes of Huddersfield Town’s 1-1 draw with Bournemouth. Afobe looked bright when coming on, leading up to picking up an assist for Danny Cadamarteri’s 89th minute equaliser.

James Shea was not in action this weekend as Southampton’s fixture was postponed.

Mark Randall was not in action this weekend as Rotherham’s fixture was postponed

Gavin Hoyte started but came off injured after 12 minutes of Lincoln City’s 2-0 defeat to Chesterfield.

Ryo Miyaichi played the full 90 minutes as Feyenoord drew 2-2 with ADO Den Haag. Miyaichi again started on the left wing and despite a quiet first half, he turned in an excellent second half shift, winning various free-kicks. Ryo was also victim of a horror challenge late on, in which the defender only received a yellow card.

Francis Coquelin missed Lorient’s 5-1 win over Bordeaux through injury. Gilles Sunu was fit but was not included in the squad.

Armand Traoré was an unused substitute as Juventus lost 2-0 to Lecce.

Wellington Silva was not included in the Levante squad that lost to Real Madrid

Pedro Botelho played the full 90 minutes as FC Cartagena beat CD Numancia 1-0. Botelho returned to left back following a run of defeats and impressed, keeping a clean sheet as Cartagena edged it.

Samuel Galindo missed UD Salamanca’s fixture this weekend through injury.

Steve Rowley was in Holland on Sunday to watch Feyenoord’s 2-2 draw with ADO Den Haag. Rowley was at the Kyocera Stadion to watch on loan winger Ryo Miyaichi and defender Stefan de Vrij.

Arsenal’s Head of Scouting was primarily there to make a report on Miyaichi, who is on loan with Feyenoord until the end of the season. The 18-year-old has earned mass attention from his three Eredivise games so far, which has led to Arsenal banning all interviews with the prospect, in a bid to calm the hype surrounding him.

Rowley was not just there to watch the Japanese youngster, though. Respected Dutch TV outlet Studio Voetbal confirmed he was also making checks on 19-year-old Stefan de Vrij, who is rated as one of the best young prospects in Holland.

De Vrij is a six foot two inch versatile defender, who can play either centre half or right back. He has been a regular in the Feyenoord side this season, picking up a number of rave reviews due to his battling displays and impressive leadership.

Studio Voetbal host and journalist Jack van Gelder said a deal for de Vrij could be done in the summer, for a fee of €3.5 million plus the extension of Miyaichi’s loan until the end of next season. This is thought to be speculation but Arsenal’s interest in the promising defender is expected to continue.

Stefan is contracted to Feyenoord until the summer of 2012.

Arsenal remain keen on Swedish youngsters Kristoffer Olsson and Robert Mirosavic after the pair completed second trials with the club.

The duo were invited to Arsenal in November, where they played in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Charlton Athletic. Olsson scored while Mirosavic also impressed in a 6-0 win. Liam Brady promised to contact both in the New Year to take a second look.

Olsson was initially the only one called back earlier this month, but Mirosavic then arrived shortly after.

Kristoffer, who plays for IFK Norrköpings, played for the Under 16′s against Crystal Palace in between watching the first-team in action against Wolves and Barcelona. The 15-year-old left a thoroughly good impression and was told by Brady he would like him back for the Ferrolli Cup at the end of the season.

Mirosavic also left on very good terms. He attracted attention after bagging 49 goals and 24 assists from just 45 games for Helsingborgs IF’s youth team. He is a currently Swedish Under 16 international and has been offered a youth contract by Helsingborgs, as he has turned 16.

However, Robert is holding out for an offer from Arsenal. He told the Swedish press after arriving back in his homeland he expects a firm answer on whether he will be signed shortly.

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