Liverpool have reached an agreement to sign 17-year-old Colombian attacking midfielder Samuel Martinez from Atlético Nacional for a fee understood to be between £750,000 and £1 million. As first reported by Colombian journalist Pipe Sierra and later corroborated by Fabrizio Romano, the deal includes a sell-on clause for the Medellin-based club, with Martinez set to join the Merseyside club on a five-year contract in the summer of 2027 once he turns 18. Liverpool reportedly beat competition from Manchester City, Bayern Munich, and Barcelona to secure the signature of the South American U-17 standout.
Strategic recruitment and the 'Kaka' profile
The acquisition of Martinez aligns with a deliberate shift in Liverpool’s recruitment strategy under Sporting Director Richard Hughes, targeting high-ceiling talent directly from South American markets. Standing at 1.84m, Martinez has frequently been likened to Brazilian legend Kaká due to what The Athletic described as his "lanky frame, upright style of running and deceptive speed." South American football expert Moby Haque noted his tactical versatility as a "Kaka-esque" midfielder, a profile Liverpool have lacked since the transition away from more traditional number 10s. This move follows the recent path of Trey Nyoni and Rio Ngumoha as the club aggressively bolstered its youth ranks to circumvent the rising costs of established Premier League talent.
Squad context and 2027 outlook
By deferring Martinez's arrival until 2027, Liverpool are effectively planning for a post-transition midfield. While the current central core features Alexis Mac Allister and Curtis Jones, the long-term nature of Martinez's five-year deal suggests he is viewed as a foundational piece for the end of the decade. The low initial fee of approximately $1 million represents a low-risk, high-reward investment compared to the £40m+ typically required for teenagers already established in European leagues, such as Brighton’s recent recruitment model. Martinez will remain with Atlético Nacional for the upcoming year to continue his development in senior football before relocating to the AXA Training Centre.
The deal is now in the final documentation stages ahead of Martinez’s 18th birthday in April 2027.