The 17-year-old plays for Atletico Nacional in his homeland. Clive Mason/Getty ImagesMay 22, 2026 11:18 am EDT Updated Liverpool are advancing in their pursuit of Colombian attacking midfielder Samuel Martinez.The Premier League side are in talks with the 17-year-old Atletico National prospect and hope to strike a deal ahead of other European rivals.Martinez caught Liverpool’s eye during scouting missions aimed at discovering the best young talent across the globe. He also impressed for Colombia Under-17s as they won the South American U-17 Championship in April.Reports in Colombia, first by journalist Pipe Sierra, suggest that a deal worth around £1million is close with Martinez set to sign a five-year deal.
The Athletic has been told Liverpool are still in negotiations and that a full agreement has yet to be reached. Liverpool hope to find a conclusion and bring Martinez to the club when he turns 18 in April 2027. If the deal is completed in advance, he will remain with Atletico Nacional until he is old enough to join.Liverpool are committing greater resources to strengthening the academy and are looking closely at players around the age of 17 and 18.There was a sense at the start of this season that a strong generation of academy products had reached the end of its cycle, and that heavy recruiting was needed. That is why, in January, Liverpool moved for the two young centre-backs Mor Talla Ndiaye and Ifeanyi Ndukwe, who caught the eye at the Under-17 World Cup in Qatar.There is a sharp focus on the international market, but also closer to home as the club continues to look for more players like Rio Ngumoha and Trey Nyoni, who were signed from Chelsea and Leicester City respectively.Plans are also in place for a £20m redevelopment of the academy.May 22, 2026Connections: Sports EditionSpot the pattern. Connect the termsFind the hidden link between sports terms
