Liverpool beat Barcelona to agree deal for new Kaka | OneFootball

Liverpool have reportedly beaten Barcelona to a wonderkid who could be the next Kaka.

The transfer window is about to open and Liverpool are already getting to work. They've reportedly got right on the verge of their first deal, in fact.

The Daily Mail is one of many outlets reporting that a deal for Samuel Martinez is right around the corner. Martinez is a 17-year-old midfielder at Atletico Nacional in Colombia and one of the brightest prospects in South America.

Liverpool will pay around £800k in order to sign the player. However, they're being made to wait. Martinez is too young to join straight away and must wait until he's 18.

That means the move will happen next summer, even if Liverpool are to agree the deal in advance shortly.

And this could end being a memorable one. The report mentions that Barcelona were one of the clubs hoping to sign Martinez but Liverpool have beaten them to the player.

He's also been compared to Kaka - about as positive a comparison as you can have as an attacking midfielder, quite honestly. Liverpool will feel they've found a special one here.

Samuel Martinez: Situation Summary

Liverpool Transfer Agreement Confirmed

As of 23 May 2026, Samuel Martínez is finalising a dream move to Europe. Renowned journalists Fabrizio Romano, Matteo Moretto, and Pipe Sierra have confirmed that Liverpool have reached an agreement to sign the 17-year-old Atlético Nacional prodigy for approximately €1 million ($1 million), outbidding Barcelona and Borussia Dortmund.

Contract and Development Plan

Dubbed "the Jewel of Tuluá" and compared to Kaká, the 1.84m attacking midfielder will remain with Atlético Nacional to develop until he turns 18 in April 2027. He will then formally sign a five-year contract with Liverpool, with the Colombian side retaining a sell-on percentage.

U17 Glory

Martínez recently captained the Colombia U17 national team to a historic CONMEBOL U17 Championship title. He starred as a classic number 10, delivering standout performances in a 3–0 semi-final win over Brazil and a 4–0 final victory against Argentina.