During the transfer window this summer, Liverpool announced the signing of Colombian sensation Samuel Martinez on a pre-agreed contract.
The youngster will join Liverpool next summer after he turns 18, but the Reds shelled out around £750,000 to secure his signature.
His parents have now revealed that a host of top European clubs were interested in signing the teenager, but he chose to move to Anfield after taking his time to consider the options available to him.
Martinez is due to bolster the academy ranks of the Reds once he turns 18, with a five-year deal in place already.
How Samuel Martinez Caught Liverpool’s Attention at the South American U17 Championship
Liverpool have been very active in picking up teenage talent in recent months, with the likes of Ifeanyi Ndukwe, Dara Jikiemi, Djylian N'Guessan, and Lucca Brughmans examples of some of their recent signings.
Like Ndukwe, Samuel Martinez was spotted at an international age-group tournament, where he played for his country.
The elegant attacking midfielder was the star of the show for Colombia's U-17 team as they defeated their counterparts from Brazil and Argentina to emerge as champions of the South American U-17 championship.
The Reds were not the only side that was interested in the youngster, with Barcelona, Manchester United, Watford, Chelsea, Manchester City, and Borussia Dortmund all approaching his representatives.
Martinez ultimately chose to join the Reds from Atletico Nacional, ensuring that one of South America's top prospects will make Merseyside his long-term home.
Why Samuel Martinez Chose Liverpool Over Barcelona and Manchester United
Martinez’s parents, Jairo Martinez and Victoria Valencia, spoke extensively about their son and his decision to sign for Liverpool, revealing details behind his transfer..
In their interview with Gol Caracol, they detailed the chaotic transfer battle surrounding their son and how it lasted for over a month.
Jairo Martinez revealed the names of the teams that approached them for the teenager, stating that they advised him, but the final decision on which team to join was left to him.
"Borussia Dortmund, Manchester City, Barcelona, Watford, Udinese, Chelsea, Manchester United, among others, wanted him.
"Every offer that came in, we would sit down, plan, and look at which options were better than the others. Samuel is the one who makes the final decision, and at that moment, he chose Liverpool.
"Lucho [Luis] Diaz opened the doors to all Colombians. They saw in Samuel all that potential he had, which was almost similar to the things Lucho Diaz does," he said.
Victoria Valencia revealed that the family was forced to adjust to European time for a month because they were inundated by calls from clubs all over Europe.
"It was like a dream to experience that it wasn’t just Liverpool. There were 30 teams around the world, and we spent almost a month and a half without sleep. Everyone was calling, at all hours. We lived on European time for a month," she added.
Samuel Martinez made the final decision himself due to a strong emotional connection to Liverpool and a clear pathway for his development.
He already possesses a firm grasp of English, having completed his early schooling in the United States, and will continue to work with a teacher ahead of moving to Merseyside next summer.
Why Samuel Martinez Will Not Join Liverpool Until 2027
Under FIFA regulations governing international minors, Martinez cannot officially complete his move to England until he turns 18 in April 2027.
As a result of this, he will remain on the books of Atletico Nacional until next summer, even after he has signed for the Premier League giants.
He was signed before he played a single senior game in Colombia, and will be left to get opportunities to play senior football while Liverpool continue to monitor his progress closely.
The teenager will hope to emulate compatriot Cristian Orozco, who got first-team opportunities in Colombia before officially joining Manchester United this summer.
