Liverpool have won the race to sign Spanish attacker Sergi Canos after it was revealed that the youngster had rejected a new contract with Barcelona in order to make the move to Merseyside.

A number of weeks ago it was reported in Spanish newspaper Sport that Liverpool had been in contact with representatives of the youngster for some time as they attempted to convince him to reject a new deal at Barcelona.

Brendan Rodgers
Brendan Rodgers has reportedly made his first summer signing already.

The Spanish club may have one of the most revered academies in professional football, but because of Spanish law they cannot offer professional contracts to players until they turn 18, while in England the age is 17.

This has led to a number of young players making the decision to move to the Premier League in order to further their career. Cesc Fabregas and Gerard Pique are two of the most high profile players to make the move, while Arsenal currently have two former Barcelona youngsters on their books in Hector Bellerin and Jon Toral.

Liverpool have previously recruited from Barcelona when they were able to convince Dani Pacheco to leave the academy, while Suso was also persuaded to turn down Real Madrid in order to join the Reds.

According to Mundo Deportivo Canos, who is viewed as one of the best prospects in his age group at the La Masia academy, has now agreed to make the move to Liverpool and will sign a deal with the club later this month.

Brendan Rodgers has shown this season that he is willing to hand first team opportunities to players from the academy with the likes of Raheem Sterling, Suso, Andre Wisdom and Jack Robinson all making the step up to the first team, while Jerome Sinclair was handed his first team debut at just 16 years of age.

The 16-year-old, who can play on the wing or as a striker, missed the final game of the season for Barcelona's youth as, along with his family, he met with officials from Liverpool to agree his move to Anfield.

Canos will join the Liverpool youth ranks and will hope to quickly make an impression and follow in the footsteps of Suso and Sterling who played a major role in the first team after impressing for various reserve sides.

Real Madrid