Liverpool are set for a vital summer transfer window after enduring a disappointing season under Arne Slot and the Reds are reportedly close to their first signing
15:35, 22 May 2026Updated 17:10, 22 May 2026
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot is set to see his side strike a transfer agreement(Image: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
Liverpool have reportedly “reached an agreement” to sign Colombian teenager Samuel Martinez on a five-year deal. It is claimed that they are advancing in the final documentation after outbidding other European giants for the Atletico Nacional attacking midfielder.
Colombian journalist Pipe Sierra has claimed that Martinez will stay at Nacional to develop for the time being. It is claimed that the deal will be $1 million (around £740,000) and he adds that the Colombian side will retain a percentage of any future sale. The Mirror’s sister title, the Liverpool ECHO, reports the Reds are in talks over a move.
The signing would be a coup for Liverpool with the young star also linked with Barcelona and Borussia Dortmund. The 17-year-old has been capped by Colombia Under-17’s on six occasions, failing to score in those appearances so far.
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Martinez will arrive on Merseyside after he turns 18, meaning he will not become a Reds player until 2027. Liverpool may need to rethink their transfer strategy this summer after a disappointing campaign under Arne Slot.
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The Reds’ underwhelming season follows a summer of substantial investment at Anfield, with Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike among the high-profile acquisitions on Merseyside. Yet injuries have also contributed to their difficulties, with Isak and now Ekitike sidelined for extended periods.
Liverpool have gone from Premier League champions to a side struggling to qualify for the Champions League.
Slot’s side, who currently sit fifth in the final qualification berth, can still be overtaken by Bournemouth after the Cherries drew 1-1 at home against Manchester City to keep alive their hopes of a top-five finish and ensure Arsenal succeeded Arne Slot’s side as champions.
Arne Slot is under major pressure at Liverpool after a poor season(Image: DARREN STAPLES, AFP via Getty Images)
However, it will take a remarkable pair of results on Sunday’s final day to prevent Liverpool from retaining their place at Europe’s top table.
Bournemouth would need to win at Nottingham Forest and Liverpool to lose at home to Brentford, with a six-goal swing in favour of the South Coast side, given the Reds’ current goal difference advantage.
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Brighton’s defeat at Leeds United at the weekend ensured Bournemouth became the only team that could now gatecrash the Champions League qualification positions.
Liverpool could also still finish fourth should they beat Brentford and Aston Villa, who thumped the Reds 4-2 last Friday, lose their last game at Man City.
And after Villa won the Europa League against Freiburg on Wednesday, a Champions League qualification berth could be awarded to whoever finishes in sixth, which, at present, could be one of Bournemouth or Brighton.