Liverpool are advancing toward a deal for 17-year-old Atlético Nacional midfielder Samuel Martinez, continuing the club's strategy of investing in young international talent.
The Colombian teenager is regarded as a long-term project rather than an immediate first-team contributor.
Martinez has traveled to England to complete initial transfer steps, including a medical examination on Merseyside with his representative.
The midfielder is expected to return to Atlético Nacional and continue his development in Colombia before formally joining Liverpool next summer.
The agreement allows Liverpool to secure the player early without interrupting a critical stage of his growth.
The proposed fee is approximately $1 million, with Atlético Nacional potentially retaining a percentage of any future resale.
Martinez will return home before officially moving to Liverpool after turning 18 in April 2027.
The transfer remains unconfirmed by either club, though the player has reportedly passed his medical.
Martinez built his reputation in youth international football, registering three assists at the South American Under-17 Championship for Colombia.
Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund had previously shown interest in the teenager.
The low-cost move carries significant long-term potential without placing immediate pressure on the player.
Allowing him to stay in familiar surroundings with regular football may benefit his development more than a premature move to England.
Transitioning from youth success to senior European football remains uncertain, requiring careful management through academy and loan pathways.
The deal reflects a broader recruitment approach: identifying talent before valuations rise, with a modest fee representing a calculated risk.
