Catalan press source Mundo Deportivo is claiming Liverpool have completed a deal to sign Sergi Canos from Barcelona.
Liverpool have been linked with the striker who can also play as a right winger for the last couple of months and if the reports are true, he could have a hugely positive effect on the rest of the Development Squad.
Brendan Rodgers seems very ken on developing a sustainable youth policy at Liverpool, which continues to produce talented players in all positions which he can consider using for the first team.
Canos is likely to go straight into the Under-21 squad at Liverpool, which will have the obvious benefits of increasing the competition for places and also the overall quality of Liverpool’s youths.
Canos seems to be an out and out front player who sometimes plays slightly wider, on the right of the attack in a similar way to how Danny Welbeck plays for Manchester United down the left.
His arrival should trigger fierce competition for places in the Development Squad because Liverpool already have a core of solid young players fighting for regular first team action; Suso, Jordan Ibe and Raheem Sterling to name just a few.
He would also arrive at Liverpool and should improve the quality of any youth team he plays in because of the way he has been coached and developed at Barcelona, with their world famous philosophy of football.
It’s not just the pass and movement part of his game, he cuts a slight figure and pace seems to be one of his best assets so the rest of the Development Squad or even the Under-18 side will have to keep up with him.
Barcelona youngsters seem to be bred on how quickly they think about football and it could be very frustrating for Canos if he finds that his new teammates are not on the same level to begin with.
Try not to read too much into the move until it’s made official through Liverpool because Mundo Deportivo is a source that has never been afraid of creating sensationalist stories just to shift papers.
This season has seen Vincent Kompany of Manchester City, Wayne Rooney of Manchester United and even Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina appear on their front page in apparent odds on deals which will happen this summer.
Liverpool have apparently been negotiating with the Spanish club for a number of months who have been less than willing to let one of their prize teenagers leave, resentful that English clubs offer them greater financial incentives than is possible in Spain.
He’s certainly a prolific attacking young man but until Liverpool confirm anything, sit back and hope that it’s true.
Can he hold down an Under-21 place next season? Might we see him in the League Cup?
image: © skau
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