Liverpool Reportedly Sign Highly-Rated Colombian Teenager

LUQUE, PARAGUAY - APRIL 19: Julio Coria of Argentina (L) fights for the ball with Samuel Martinez of Colombia (R) during the FIFA U17 World Cup 2026 Qualifier Copa CONMEBOL Final match between Argentina and Colombia at CONMEBOL Stadium on April 19, 2026 in Luque, Paraguay. (Photo by Martín Fonseca/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images) | Getty Images

According to reports out of Germany, Liverpool have beat out Dortmund and Barcelona to sign 17-year-old attacking midfielder Samuel Martinez, for a fee of approximately €1million.

The teenager is currently plying his trade with Atlético Nacional, and was part of Colombia’s winning U17 South American Championship side, having contributed assists in both the semifinal and final.

If true, this is an interesting one for Liverpool, and perhaps a bit concerning, given England’s strict work requirments for young, foreign players. It would also be interesting considering Arne Slot’s reluctance to play academy players, other than the one notable exception of Rio Ngumoha.

And if reports are true that Liverpool beat out the likes of Barcelona and Dortmund for the player’s signature, it would also be a major transfer win for the club, considering Dortmund’s reputation for youth development, and Barcelona’s pull for South American players.

However, it must also be taken with a grain of salt, since no Liverpool journalists have confirmed the transfer yet.

Anyway, it’s an interesting one to watch, especially if Martinez is subjected to multiple loan spells all across Europe for several seasons.

Source: liverpooloffside.sbnation.com