Bayern Munich are accustomed to getting their way when it comes to young talent.
The German record champions have spent decades positioning themselves as the destination of choice for the most promising prospects in European football, a club where development, trophies, and pathway to the first team are all but guaranteed.
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When they identify a target, they tend to land him.
Not this time.
According to German outlet Absolut Bayern via TZ, the Bavarian giants had been pursuing a 17-year-old Colombian attacking midfielder from Atletico Nacional for months, dedicating significant scouting resources to tracking his progress and building a relationship with his camp.
The connection appeared strong.
‘The teenager’s agent, Daniel Neumüller, is based in Bavaria and has existing ties to the Munich club.
The pathway to a deal looked clear.
But when the moment came to choose, the teenager chose Anfield over the Allianz Arena.
Samuel Martinez flew into the United Kingdom today alongside his family and Neumüller to undergo a medical at Liverpool which has now been completed, in a deal reportedly worth around £750,000.
‘Colombian journalist Pipe Sierra described the transfer as a historic moment for Colombian football, and Bayern’s scouts, who had reportedly drawn comparisons between Martinez and Brazilian legend Kaká due to his playmaking qualities, physical stature, and positional intelligence, were left watching from the outside.
The comparison to Kaká is bold but not without foundation.
At 1.84m, Martinez possesses the kind of physical frame that most 17-year-old attacking midfielders simply do not have, combining that raw presence with sophisticated spatial awareness, quick combination play, and a box-to-box engine that allows him to influence matches across both halves.
His breakthrough came at the 2026 South American Under-17 Championship, where he started five of Colombia’s six matches, contributed three assists, and was instrumental in the side’s title-winning run, most memorably during the victory over Argentina in the final.
He is expected to represent Colombia again at the FIFA Under-17 World Cup in Qatar later this year, meaning his development continues at the highest youth international level even as his Liverpool future takes shape.
The deal’s structure reflects his age and FIFA regulations.
Martinez turns 18 in April 2027 and cannot officially register as a Liverpool player until then.
He will remain at Atletico Nacional for the upcoming season, continuing to develop in familiar surroundings while Liverpool’s scouting team, led by head of South American scouting Fernando Troiani, academy recruitment chief Chris Dowling, and director of global talent Matt Newberry, monitor his progress closely.
Liverpool faced competition from several European clubs beyond Bayern, but moved decisively at the right moment.
Bayern had the connection.
Liverpool had the conviction.
And when the choice came, Martinez picked the Premier League.