Credit: @samuelmartinez__10 (IG)
Credit: @samuelmartinez__10 (IG)
Liverpool beat at least 29 other clubs to the signature of Colombian attacking midfielder Samuel Martinez, claims the player’s mother after a sleepless month.
Victoria Valencia, whose son Samuel will complete a £750,000 move to Liverpool from Atletico Nacional next summer, told Gol Caracol that “30 teams around the world” wanted him.
“It was like a dream to experience that it wasn’t just Liverpool,” Valencia explained.
“There were 30 teams around the world, and we didn’t sleep for almost a month-and-a-half. Everyone was calling at all hours. We lived on European time for a month.
“We had conversations with everyone, but the decision was Samuel’s.
“We can say whatever we want, but we respect his wishes, his decisions, what he feels comfortable with. And he felt a connection to going to Liverpool.”
Credit: @samuelmartinez__10 (IG)
Credit: @samuelmartinez__10 (IG)
Martinez’s father, Jairo, named Dortmund, Man City, Man United, Chelsea, Barcelona, Watford and Udinese among the clubs interested in the teenager.
“Every time an offer came in, we would sit down, plan, and look at which options were better than the others,” the parents added.
“Samuel is the one who makes the final decision, and at that time, he chose Liverpool.”
How Luis Diaz “opened the doors” for Liverpool’s next Colombian
Luis Diaz, Colombia
One of the key factors behind Martinez’s switch to the Premier League, and specifically Liverpool, was the success Luis Diaz enjoyed after his move to Anfield from Porto.
“Lucho Diaz opened the doors to all Colombians,” Jairo and Victoria continued.
“They saw in Samuel all that potential he had, which was almost similar to the things Lucho Diaz does.”
Martinez Sr., who revealed his son is already fluent in English having been schooled in the United States, described the youngster’s qualities on the pitch.
“He’s fast, has a good change of pace, is good at unbalancing defenders, has good vision, supports his team-mates very well, and looks for open spaces,” the father said.
“English football is a very fast-paced game. When it comes to making decisions in such short periods of time, he handles those situations well.”
Martinez’s arrival will continue the impressive work of Liverpool’s global talent team, led by Matt Newberry, with goalkeeper Lucca Brughmans, forward Djylian N’Guessan and striker Michael Mulholland also set to arrive in 2027.
Ifeanyi Ndukwe and Mor Talla Ndiaye both joined earlier this year, while a deal is understood to be in place for Senegal winger Sidy Barhama Ndiaye who would move from Diambars FC in 2028.
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