Liverpool already seal £750,000 deal for Samu Martinez, a Coutinho‑style teen

Liverpool have already agreed to sign Samu Martinez, a 17‑year‑old Colombian whose flair has drawn parallels to both Firmino and the phrase Coutinho Liverpool Already used by analysts, signalling a fresh creative push for the Merseyside side.

Addressing the creative void

Jurgen Klopp’s squad has struggled to replace the goal‑scoring instinct of Roberto Firmino since his departure, prompting the club to hunt for a new play‑maker. Over the summer Liverpool splashed more than £100m on Bradley Barcola from Paris Saint‑Germain, hoping the French winger could fill the gap. Meanwhile, Andoni Iraola has been rotating younger talents such as Lewis Koumas, James McConnell and Trey Nyoni to inject energy into the midfield.

Martinez’s arrival is part of that broader strategy. Reuters reports the 17‑year‑old rejected 29 other clubs to join Liverpool in a £750,000 transfer from Atletico Nacional, after instructing his agent that Anfield was his destination.

Martinez: a Coutinho‑style prospect

A recent video of Martinez playing for Colombia against Brazil shows him weaving past defenders before delivering a pinpoint pass, prompting comparisons with former Liverpool star Philippe Coutinho. The Brazilian was celebrated for his tight‑space skill and drive, traits mirrored in Martinez’s play.

Standing over 6ft 1in, the teenager also resembles the physical profile of Firmino, who excelled in the No.10 and false‑9 roles. He recorded 13 goal contributions in 20 appearances for Atletico Nacional’s U20 side, underscoring his attacking potential.

Other young signings

Liverpool have also secured Lucca Brughmans and Djylian N'Guessan in the final days of the summer window, both set to spend the season on loan. Giovanni Leoni, who arrived in the summer of 2025, made a solitary appearance against Southampton in the EFL Cup before a serious injury sidelined him.

Should Alisson depart at season’s end, Brughmans could be thrust into the goalkeeping picture, while the club continues to monitor the progress of 18‑year‑old Rio Ngumoha for future opportunities.

Behind the story: James Beavis

The transfer news was delivered via Reuters by James Beavis, a Senior Editor at GIVEMESPORT. He has spent more than a decade in online football media, graduating with a Sports Journalism degree from Southampton Solent University in 2012.

James joined Football FanCast in 2016 after a three‑year stint at Shoot Magazine, rising from freelance writer to editor before moving to GMS in 2020. He maintains strong working relationships with top‑tier journalists such as Fabrizio Romano, Dharmesh Sheth and Ben Jacobs, regularly chatting with them as part of an exclusives initiative.

Looking ahead, Martinez will likely begin his Liverpool journey with the under‑23s, aiming to translate his international performances into Premier League impact. The club’s extensive youth recruitment suggests a patient pathway, though breaking into the first team will demand consistency and adaptation to English football.