Samuel Martinez pictured traveling to England before Liverpool transfer

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Colombian talent Samuel Martinez has been pictured traveling to England before his Liverpool transfer, with the Reds set to win the race for the 17-year-old attacking midfielderSamuel Martinez representing Colombia in an U17 World Cup qualifier against Argentina(Image: Martín Fonseca/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)Colombian attacking midfielder Samuel Martinez has been pictured traveling to Merseyside for a medical ahead of his move from Atletico Nacional.Liverpool.com reported back in June that the Reds were closing in on a deal for the player, who will link up with the U21s initially. Borussia Dortmund, Barcelona and Chelsea were also linked with a swoop for the 17-year-old before Liverpool won the race.Now, the Colombian reporter Pipe Sierra has posted a picture of Martinez and his agent on a plane to the United Kingdom.

The teenager does not turn 18 until April of 2027, but is one of the most highly rated talents in his age group in South America.The Reds can offer a proven pathway at Anfield, as shown by the likes of Rio Ngumoha, whose role is likely to grow once the new season gets underway.Liverpool has had success with players, including Trey Nyoni, in recent years, who have been snapped up from other clubs and then developed in Kirkby.Ngumoha, Nyoni, January arrival Mor Talla Ndiaye, and 16-year-old Josh Abe are among those who could play a big part in the senior pre-season tour to the United States, which is coming up next week.Content cannot be displayed without consent"The senior players have played in the World Cup, they’ve been feeling the pressure, and they’ve been playing for their countries, so I think they need and deserve a rest," Iraola said when he arrived."This also allows us to give folks important minutes, to train more closely with the young players that probably we don’t know as well, because we’ve been here already three seasons playing a lot of times against Liverpool and there are players that we already know."But there are other players probably that haven’t had the minutes, have played for the development squad, have been on loan somewhere and I think those training, those minutes will be for us to take decisions very well."Get Liverpool's new 2026/27 home kitThis article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn moreLiverpool FC have launched their new home kit for the 2026/27, inspired by iconic adidas strip worn during the club's 1989/90 title-winning campaign.Elaborating on his style of play and the kind of players that he likes, Iraola added: "I think I have the advantage that I’ve been here already three years in the Premier League."People for sure have seen Bournemouth play.

There are some things that obviously we need to change coaching Liverpool."But I wouldn’t like to lose our identity, the intensity, the aggressiveness, the organization, certain things that I would like always to have in my team."Liverpool.com says: Martinez looks to be a major talent, and it is interesting that there appears to be such a focus on snapping up youngsters at the moment. Several new faces are coming in to keep an eye on over the next few months at academy level.