Liverpool have reached an agreement in principle to sign Colombian starlet Samuel Martinez, talkSPORT understands.
The Reds were one of the clubs tracking Martinez when he won the South American Under-17 Championship with Colombia in April.
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Liverpool have fought off competition from Borussia Dortmund to secure the services of the 17-year-old attacking midfielder.
Meanwhile, Bayern Munich also showed firm interest in the teenager.
Martinez’s current club, Atletico Nacional, are set to receive around £750,000 from the transfer deal.
The teenager can play in both attacking and central midfield, and got three assists during the South American U17 Championship.
talkSPORT’s Ben Jacobs reported in April that scouts from across Europe were in attendance for Colombia’s 3-0 semi-final over Brazil.
Representatives from City Football Group, Chelsea, Liverpool, Atletico Madrid, Bayern, Dortmund and Benfica are believed to have been present.
But it’s Liverpool who look to have won the race to snap up Martinez to make him their first signing of the summer.
However, it remains to be seen what level of football he will initially play at for the club and whether he will be part of their first team squad, academy or if they may look to send him on loan.
Who else is joining Liverpool this summer?
Liverpool completed their first piece of transfer business ahead of the 2026/27 season in February.
Jeremy Jacquet will join from Rennes in a £55million plus £5m in add-ons deal.
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The 20-year-old is regarded as one of the most promising centre-backs in football and was also a target for Chelsea.
However, Jacquet has not played since February 7 due to a shoulder injury he sustained days after his Liverpool move was agreed.
The Frenchman was seen screaming in agony during a Ligue 1 match for Rennes against Lens after picking up the issue.
Rennes boss Habib Beye confirmed afterwards that it was ‘serious’.
Who could leave Liverpool this summer?
Jacquet looks set to arrive at Anfield as a potential replacement for Ibrahima Konate, whose contract expires at the end of June.
talkSPORT reported in March that Real Madrid have been among the clubs monitoring his situation.
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However, Konate recently confirmed that he and Liverpool are ‘close to an agreement’ over a new deal.
Two players have already confirmed that they will leave the club this summer, with the first being Mohamed Salah.
Salah announced in March that he will call time on his stunning nine-year stay at Liverpool, where he has won nine trophies.
The Egyptian, who has scored 257 goals, looks set to make his last Reds appearance on Sunday at home against Brentford.
However, his inclusion is not yet definite after a social media post in which he appeared to take a swipe at head coach Arne Slot.
Andy Robertson is also leaving Liverpool at the end of the season.
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His exit was confirmed last month, with the Scotland international also winning nine trophies during his spell on Merseyside.
Tottenham Hotspur have a verbal agreement to sign Robertson this summer, although this depends on whether they avoid relegation.
