{"id":12477,"date":"2026-05-25T21:05:35","date_gmt":"2026-05-25T21:05:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=12477"},"modified":"2026-05-25T21:05:35","modified_gmt":"2026-05-25T21:05:35","slug":"samuel-martinez-set-to-join-liverpool-in-five-year-deal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=12477","title":{"rendered":"Samuel Martinez set to join Liverpool in five-year deal"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div id=\"article-body\">\n<!-- Article Start --><\/p>\n<p><strong>Sky Sports journalist Florian Plettenberg has shared an update confirming that Samuel Martinez to Liverpool is a done deal, with the teenager set to undergo a medical before putting pen to paper on a five-year contract at Anfield.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The widely respected Sky Sports Germany reporter took to X to deliver the update, revealing that the next steps in the process involve Martinez, who was also scouted by Chelsea, is to complete the visa process before travelling to England for his medical examinations.<\/p>\n<p>Once those formalities are concluded, the young prospect will sign a five-year contract with the Reds, tying him to the club for the long term.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><picture><source type=\"image\/webp\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/icdn.caughtoffside.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image_2026-05-26_005342075-414x276.jpg.webp 414w,https:\/\/icdn.caughtoffside.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image_2026-05-26_005342075.jpg.webp 612w\" data-sizes=\"(min-width:1230px) 770px, (min-width:1020px) 630px, (min-width:900px) 880px, (min-width:680px) 97vw, (min-width:414px) 414px, 100vw\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"612\" height=\"408\" src=\"https:\/\/icdn.caughtoffside.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image_2026-05-26_005342075.jpg\" class=\"wp-image-1659738 has-webp\" alt=\"Samuel Martinez in action for Colombia \" srcset=\"https:\/\/icdn.caughtoffside.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image_2026-05-26_005342075-414x276.jpg 414w,https:\/\/icdn.caughtoffside.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image_2026-05-26_005342075.jpg 612w\" sizes=\"(min-width:1230px) 770px, (min-width:1020px) 630px, (min-width:900px) 880px, (min-width:680px) 97vw, (min-width:414px) 414px, 100vw\" style=\"aspect-ratio:612\/408;max-width:612px\"\/><\/source><\/picture><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Photo by Mart\u00edn Fonseca\/Eurasia Sport Images\/Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Plettenberg also shed light on the pathway Liverpool have mapped out for the teenager.<\/p>\n<p>The plan is for Martinez to integrate into the first-team pre-season setup from the summer of 2027 onwards.<\/p>\n<p>In the immediate term, his debut season in England is expected to be split between Liverpool\u2019s Under-21 side and the UEFA Youth League, giving him valuable exposure to competitive football at a high level while he continues his development.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-lazy tweet-img lazyload\" data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">??? Samuel Mart\u00ednez to Liverpool is a done deal, as reported. Next steps: visa process and trip to England for medical examinations. Afterwards, he will sign a five-year contract. <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/LFC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#LFC<\/a> <\/p>\n<p>The general plan \u2013 depending on wildcard regulations \u2013 is for him to join first-team\u2026 <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/oiR1479pib\">pic.twitter.com\/oiR1479pib<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Plettigoal\/status\/2058959160528502866?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">May 25, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>The move signals Liverpool\u2019s continued commitment to identifying and securing elite young talent from across Europe before rival clubs can act.<\/p>\n<section class=\"more-stories std-mgn-b\">&#13;<\/p>\n<div class=\"row\">\n<header class=\"col-s-12 std-mgn-t\">More Stories \/ <span class=\"topic\">Latest News<\/span><\/header>\n<div class=\"post-container col-s-4\">\n<p>\t\t\t&#13;<\/p>\n<div class=\"img-cntr\"><picture><source type=\"image\/webp\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/icdn.caughtoffside.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image_2026-05-26_001645365-190x114.jpg.webp 190w,https:\/\/icdn.caughtoffside.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image_2026-05-26_001645365-245x147.jpg.webp 245w,https:\/\/icdn.caughtoffside.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image_2026-05-26_001645365-320x193.jpg.webp 320w,https:\/\/icdn.caughtoffside.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image_2026-05-26_001645365-414x249.jpg.webp 414w,https:\/\/icdn.caughtoffside.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image_2026-05-26_001645365-630x379.jpg.webp 630w\" data-sizes=\"(min-width:1230px) 237px, (min-width:1020px) 190px, (min-width:900px) 280px, (min-width:680px) 30vw, (min-width:414px) 125px, 30vw\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"722\" src=\"https:\/\/icdn.caughtoffside.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image_2026-05-26_001645365.jpg\" class=\"lazyload wp-image-1659735 has-webp lazyload\" alt=\"Leicester City flag\" srcset=\"https:\/\/icdn.caughtoffside.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image_2026-05-26_001645365-190x114.jpg 190w,https:\/\/icdn.caughtoffside.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image_2026-05-26_001645365-245x147.jpg 245w,https:\/\/icdn.caughtoffside.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image_2026-05-26_001645365-320x193.jpg 320w,https:\/\/icdn.caughtoffside.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image_2026-05-26_001645365-414x249.jpg 414w,https:\/\/icdn.caughtoffside.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image_2026-05-26_001645365-630x379.jpg 630w\" data-sizes=\"(min-width:1230px) 237px, (min-width:1020px) 190px, (min-width:900px) 280px, (min-width:680px) 30vw, (min-width:414px) 125px, 30vw\"\/><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"post-container col-s-4\">\n<p>\t\t\t&#13;<\/p>\n<div class=\"img-cntr\"><picture><source type=\"image\/webp\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/icdn.caughtoffside.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image_2026-05-25_232903099-190x127.jpg.webp 190w,https:\/\/icdn.caughtoffside.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image_2026-05-25_232903099-245x163.jpg.webp 245w,https:\/\/icdn.caughtoffside.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image_2026-05-25_232903099-320x213.jpg.webp 320w,https:\/\/icdn.caughtoffside.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image_2026-05-25_232903099-414x276.jpg.webp 414w,https:\/\/icdn.caughtoffside.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image_2026-05-25_232903099.jpg.webp 612w\" data-sizes=\"(min-width:1230px) 237px, (min-width:1020px) 190px, (min-width:900px) 280px, (min-width:680px) 30vw, (min-width:414px) 125px, 30vw\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"612\" height=\"408\" src=\"https:\/\/icdn.caughtoffside.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image_2026-05-25_232903099.jpg\" class=\"lazyload wp-image-1659733 has-webp lazyload\" srcset=\"https:\/\/icdn.caughtoffside.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image_2026-05-25_232903099-190x127.jpg 190w,https:\/\/icdn.caughtoffside.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image_2026-05-25_232903099-245x163.jpg 245w,https:\/\/icdn.caughtoffside.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image_2026-05-25_232903099-320x213.jpg 320w,https:\/\/icdn.caughtoffside.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image_2026-05-25_232903099-414x276.jpg 414w\" data-sizes=\"(min-width:1230px) 237px, (min-width:1020px) 190px, (min-width:900px) 280px, (min-width:680px) 30vw, (min-width:414px) 125px, 30vw\"\/><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"post-container col-s-4\">\n<p>\t\t\t&#13;<\/p>\n<div class=\"img-cntr\"><picture><source type=\"image\/webp\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/icdn.caughtoffside.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image_2026-05-25_223732633-190x114.jpg.webp 190w,https:\/\/icdn.caughtoffside.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image_2026-05-25_223732633-245x147.jpg.webp 245w,https:\/\/icdn.caughtoffside.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image_2026-05-25_223732633-320x193.jpg.webp 320w,https:\/\/icdn.caughtoffside.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image_2026-05-25_223732633-414x249.jpg.webp 414w,https:\/\/icdn.caughtoffside.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image_2026-05-25_223732633-630x379.jpg.webp 630w\" data-sizes=\"(min-width:1230px) 237px, (min-width:1020px) 190px, (min-width:900px) 280px, (min-width:680px) 30vw, (min-width:414px) 125px, 30vw\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"722\" src=\"https:\/\/icdn.caughtoffside.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image_2026-05-25_223732633.jpg\" class=\"lazyload wp-image-1659730 has-webp lazyload\" alt=\"Man United corner flag with Breaking news overlay\" srcset=\"https:\/\/icdn.caughtoffside.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image_2026-05-25_223732633-190x114.jpg 190w,https:\/\/icdn.caughtoffside.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image_2026-05-25_223732633-245x147.jpg 245w,https:\/\/icdn.caughtoffside.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image_2026-05-25_223732633-320x193.jpg 320w,https:\/\/icdn.caughtoffside.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image_2026-05-25_223732633-414x249.jpg 414w,https:\/\/icdn.caughtoffside.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image_2026-05-25_223732633-630x379.jpg 630w\" data-sizes=\"(min-width:1230px) 237px, (min-width:1020px) 190px, (min-width:900px) 280px, (min-width:680px) 30vw, (min-width:414px) 125px, 30vw\"\/><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<h2>Liverpool begin summer work with pursuit of two emerging talents<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><picture><source type=\"image\/webp\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/icdn.caughtoffside.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image_2026-05-26_005437321-414x276.jpg.webp 414w,https:\/\/icdn.caughtoffside.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image_2026-05-26_005437321.jpg.webp 612w\" data-sizes=\"(min-width:1230px) 770px, (min-width:1020px) 630px, (min-width:900px) 880px, (min-width:680px) 97vw, (min-width:414px) 414px, 100vw\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"612\" height=\"408\" src=\"https:\/\/icdn.caughtoffside.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image_2026-05-26_005437321.jpg\" class=\"lazyload wp-image-1659739 has-webp\" alt=\"Samuel Martinez in action for Colombia U17\" srcset=\"https:\/\/icdn.caughtoffside.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image_2026-05-26_005437321-414x276.jpg 414w,https:\/\/icdn.caughtoffside.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image_2026-05-26_005437321.jpg 612w\" data-sizes=\"(min-width:1230px) 770px, (min-width:1020px) 630px, (min-width:900px) 880px, (min-width:680px) 97vw, (min-width:414px) 414px, 100vw\" style=\"aspect-ratio:612\/408;max-width:612px\"\/><\/source><\/picture><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Photo by Mart\u00edn Fonseca\/Eurasia Sport Images\/Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The capture of Martinez forms part of what appears to be a busy summer of recruitment for Liverpool, who have already been active in the market for emerging talent.<\/p>\n<p>The Reds appear to have all but concluded the deal for Samuel Martinez and are also reportedly interested in <span>16-year-old wonderkid Kennet Eichhorn.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>As per Plettenberg, concrete talks have taken place between Liverpool and Hertha BSC.<\/p>\n<p>The pursuit of two emerging stars shows that the club are looking to bolster both their first-team pipeline and their academy infrastructure ahead of the new season.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p><!-- Article End -->\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<p><script async src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><br \/>\n<br \/><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Sky Sports journalist Florian Plettenberg has shared an update confirming that Samuel Martinez to Liverpool&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":12478,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"pagelayer_contact_templates":[],"_pagelayer_content":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-12477","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-chelsea"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12477","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=12477"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12477\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/12478"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=12477"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=12477"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=12477"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}