The Gareth Barry to Liverpool rumours seem to have finally hit a quiet period (bless!), and from the looks of things, it has finally given way to new talk about a certain highly-rated Danish striker named Nikola Saric.

The 17-year-old Herfolge ace is said to be one of Denmark’s most prized youth players, and based on the rave reviews coming out of the club, the comments were more than enough to pull Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez into a hotly-contested race against Tottenham and Barcelona for Saric’s signature.

After some pushing and pulling, the Danish striker has decided to ply his trade next season in the Anfield youth system. Based on how well the Liverpool youth team has been doing (the growth of Krisztián Németh, 2007-08 Premier Reserve League National Champions, 2007 FA Youth Cup), he should have no problem coming into his own at Liverpool.

“We are pleased and proud that Nikola has gone to one of the world’s best football clubs. We would have liked to have earned more money from Nikola but his injury and the fact that his contract expired in the New Year made it difficult,” Herfolge sports director Per Rud said.

“Liverpool acted extremely well in all cases and knew all the details,” he added. “They have been fair in the process and could’ve waited until the New Year but they will have him over now.”

Are Liverpool supporters excited about the signing of Saric? Do you think he’ll be making a name for himself in the next couple of years?