Liverpool beat some European giants to the signature of one player this summer and the preparations are already well underway for his Anfield arrival
Andoni Iraola
Liverpool beat a number of European giants to the signature of Samuel Martinez(Image: Paul ELLIS / AFP via Getty Images)
View 2 Images
Liverpool beat Manchester United and Chelsea to the signing of Samuel Martinez over the summer, his parents have revealed. The Reds agreed a deal for the Colombian teenager in July, but he will not arrive on Merseyside until next year.
Martinez has already agreed a five-year contract after Liverpool paid £750,000 to Atletico Nacional for his services. The 17-year-old will stay with the Colombian side until the next summer transfer window, as he can not officially join the Reds until he turns 18 in April.
The youngster had no shortage of admirers, with Barcelona and Borussia Dortmund among the contenders, but Liverpool won the race with Atletico also receiving a percentage of any future sale. Four English sides were interested in landing the attacking midfielder, with 30 teams overall eyeing a move.
“Borussia Dortmund, Manchester City, Barcelona, Watford, Udinese, Chelsea, Manchester United, among others, all wanted him,” Martinez's father Jairo told Gol Caracol.
His mother, Victoria Valencia, added: “It was like a dream to experience that it wasn’t just Liverpool. There were 30 teams around the world, and we spent almost a month and a half without sleep. Everyone was calling, at all hours. We lived on European time for a month."
Martinez's parents revealed that their son felt a connection with Liverpool that influenced his decision. They added: “We had conversations with everyone, but Samuel made the decision.
"We can say whatever he wants, but we rely on what he wants, what he decides, what he feels comfortable with. And he felt a connection to go to Liverpool.”
Samuel Martinez of Colombia during the South American U17 Championships on April 19 2026
Samuel Martinez of Colombia during the South American U17 Championships on April 19 2026(Image: Martín Fonseca/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)
View 2 Images
Content Image
Content Image
With almost a year to prepare for his global move, Martinez is already working on his English. He already has a strong foundation.
Jairo explained: “Samuel learned to read and write in English; he completed kindergarten, pre-kindergarten, first, and second grade in the United States. So, he already had a very strong foundation in the language.
"Now he has a personal tutor with whom he studies every day to make his English more fluent and eventually master it perfectly.”