Sergio Canos

[Snarfalicious]

We were linked with him by Duncan Castles today, whom I hold in high regard when it comes to information.

Duncan Castles ‏@DuncanCastles

11h​

Tottenham join Liverpool in pursuit of Barcelona and Spain U16 forward Sergi Canos. #THFC #LFC #ESP #FCB http://sulia.com/my_thoughts/814fe350-70a4-4bc7-9546-1bfb7764269d/?source=twitter…

Canos, one of three Barca players called up by Spain for an international tournament against France, Italy and the Czech Republic in April, has been pursued by Liverpool and Tottenham. Like Josimar and Pleguezuelo, the striker has made it clear to his English suitors that financial terms significantly superior to those on offer at Camp Nou will convince him to move abroad.

The players' first professional contract offers a window for Premier League sides to take advantage of Barcelona's much-admired academy programme. Fifa rules prevent individuals under the age of 16 from moving overseas except under special circumstances, but also bar academies from signing their best graduates to long-term professional contracts until they have reached that age.

Should a club from another European league wish to offer them an alternative deal at 16 they must only pay the developing side Fifa-mandated compensation in lieu of a transfer fee. The maximum sum due for for a player who has spent four years in a 'Category 1' club such as Barcelona is €360,000.

Scouting then poaching youngsters from Barca's Under-16s has become a common strategy for the Premier League's more affluent clubs. Arsenal targeted Cesc Fabregas in 2003, rapidly turning him into a regular first-team player and eventually making him their captain before he forced a Camp Nou return for €29 million plus variables eight years later. Gerard Pique joined Manchester United in 2004, returning to Catalunya four seasons later for £5m.

Hopefully this is actually a video of him:

 

[Snarfalicious]

And, as I'm sure you may have noticed, his name is Sergi. Not Sergio. Apologies on that.

 

[sammy j]

This just seems so unfair to Barcelona