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A wanted man

Here's everything you need to know about the latest player Ireland are chasing

Arsenal midfielder Dan Crowley is believed to be on Martin O’Neill and Roy Keane’s radar.

Soccer - Capital One Cup - Second Round - Barnsley v Everton - Oakwell Crowley (right) is currently on loan at League One club Barnsley. PA Wire / PA Images PA Wire / PA Images / PA Images

ROY KEANE’S LATEST scouting mission took him to Barnsley’s Oakwell yesterday.

The League One club were 4-1 winners over Swindon, with former Ireland U21 international Conor Hourihane earning man-of-the-match after scoring one and setting up two more.

A fellow Corkman, Keane knows the 24-year-old well as he took him from Sunderland to Ipswich Town back in 2010.

Here are the highlights from that game (Hourihane is wearing number eight):

Swindon Town / YouTube

Unfortunately for Keane, Hourihane’s team-mate Daniel Crowley, who has made eight appearances for the Tykes since joining on loan from Arsenal at the start of the season, missed out through injury.

The 18-year-old Coventry native, eligible to play for Ireland through his Waterford grandparents, is the latest player in the middle of an international tug-of-war.

Like Jack Grealish, Crowley is a product of Aston Villa’s youth system. However, in 2013, he opted to switch to Arsenal and signed his first professional contract a day after his 17th birthday.

Soccer - FA Youth Cup - Fourth Round - Peterborough United v Arsenal - London Road In action for Arsenal. Nick Potts Nick Potts

Highly-rated by the Gunners, the midfielder’s style of play has been likened to Jack Wilshere. Crowley, who has a GAA background with St Finnbars in Coventry, has represented both Ireland and England at underage level but most recently lined out for the Three Lions’ U17s side.

According to a report in The Irish Times, however, the FAI are confident that he will commit his long term international future to Ireland and link up with Noel King’s U21s team.

Soccer - International Friendly - England U17s v Italy U17s - Pirelli Stadium Playing for England's U17s. Nigel French Nigel French

What he said

Last year: “I don’t really know – I’m going to see what happens. My grandparents are Irish. I played for Ireland and when I was U16 I went for trials with England and got in. I’m still young and I’d never rule anything out because you just don’t know what’s round the corner.”

What has been said about him

Arsenal midfielder Mikel Arteta: “He has impressed me for two reasons. The first is of course his talent, but also he is gaining maturity too, and if he keeps doing that then he can be a very good player.

“He’s definitely got the talent, and if you put that together with mental strength and the willingness to work hard, then you’ve got a great chance. That’s what he needs to do.”

Barnsley boss Lee Johnson: ”He is an exceptional and exciting talent who is very highly thought of at Arsenal. Dan has genuine, top-level skill and quality.”

Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere: “Everybody follow @danielcrowley24 trust me when I say this kid is a player! Big future.”

Highlights reel

His goal against Everton in the Capital One Cup last month.

Daniel Crowley Everton

A free-kick for Arsenal’s U21s.
https://vine.co/v/OdlrjHi5HBV

Showing off his shooting ability in training.
https://vine.co/v/ML6ih1p16tP

And here’s a short documentary that Arsenal made about the youngster:

Arsenal / YouTube

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