Consistent reports
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According to media reports, Colombian talent Samuel Martínez from Atlético Nacional is about to move to Liverpool FC. After the Colombian newspaper “AS” was the first to report that the Reds were in the running for the 17-year-old offensive player, European media followed suit. Liverpool beat out well-known competition when courting Martínez.
Martínez has not yet appeared on the pitch for Atlético Nacional, but he attracted attention at the U17 South American Championships in April. Colombia’s youth team secured the title after clearly beating Brazil (3-0) in the semi-finals and Argentina (4-0) in the final. Martínez shone with three assists in six games.
According to reports, Liverpool will pay the equivalent of almost 860,000 euros to Atlético Nacional. The Colombian club also secured a resale clause. Martínez will spend the coming season at Atlético Nacional because he will only be allowed to move to Europe after his 18th birthday on April 5, 2027. He is expected to sign a five-year contract in Liverpool.
Several European heavyweights are said to have vied for Martínez’s services. As the pay TV channel “Sky” reports, this included Borussia Dortmund, which even had an agreement in principle with the attacking midfielder. In the end, BVB did not meet Atlético Nacional’s demands. In the TM rumor mill he was also linked to FC Bayern, Arsenal FC and Atlético Madrid.