Liverpool are close to completing the signing of Colombia U17s international attacking midfielder Samuel Martínez..

The Athletic's resident renowned English Liverpool team correspondent James Pearce, reported on Saturday that Liverpool are close to completing the signing of Colombia U17s international attacking midfielder Samuel Martínez.

According to Pearce, this news was initially reported by prominent Colombian transfer journalist Pipe Sierra, and has now been confirmed by several Liverpool team correspondents, including Pearce himself.

Liverpool have already submitted a €1 million offer to Martínez's current club, Atlético Nacional. Reaching personal terms with the Reds is not difficult; the only remaining issue is that the two clubs have not yet reached an agreement on performance-related bonuses and a future transfer fee share.

Since Martínez will not turn 18 until April 2027, even if Liverpool successfully complete the transfer this summer, Martínez will still have to wait until then and obtain a UK work permit before he can officially become a Liverpool player.

Pearce also revealed that several other top European clubs were eyeing Martínez's transfer, including Bayern Munich and Atlético Madrid. However, the player ultimately preferred to join Liverpool.

Martínez's transfer is part of Liverpool's recent efforts to actively recruit as many wonderkids as possible into its youth academy. The Reds have been spending £20 million three years ago to strengthen their youth academy in an effort to address the club's stagnation since the departure of legendary manager Jürgen Klopp.

Since poaching Rio Ngumoha and Trey Nyoni several years ago, Liverpool have also successfully signed Will Wright, Alvin Ayman, Ifeanyi Ndukwe, and Mor Talla Ndiaye in the past two years.

Recently, Northern Ireland U21s international striker Kieran Morrison, who moved from arch-rivals Manchester United, is confirmed to be the next player to be promoted to the first-team, even attracting interest from several top Bundesliga clubs.

On the other hand, Pearce also provided an update on the situation regarding the successor to Egypt international right winger Mohamed Salah.

He said, Liverpool has decided to prioritize the signing of RB Leipzig wonderkid Yan Diomande.

However, since RB Leipzig has announced that they will be asking for at least €100 million for the Ivorian international, Liverpool will not rush into the race for Diomande unless the club is willing to lower its demands.

Another potential target is France international wonderkid Bradley Barcola.

It is understood that Paris Saint-Germain is also very interested in signing Diomande, and if the latter chooses to join PSG, Barcola might join Liverpool as a domino effect of that transfer.

Image source: Internet / The Athletic