Liverpool and Manchester City are reportedly involved in a six-team battle to sign 15-year-old Johan Martinez, who has been likened to Ousmane Dembele.
The Reds and the Sky Blues have been involved in many memorable Premier League title battles down the years, albeit not this season as the Reds sit 22 points better off in the top-flight table.
Arne Slot‘s side are also 12 points clear of closest challengers Arsenal with nine games to go, and only a catastrophic collapse would see Liverpool lose their grip on the title now.
Meanwhile, Man City are still fighting for their right to qualify for the 2025-26 Champions League and are considered the favourites to win the FA Cup ahead of this month’s quarter-final with Bournemouth.
Now, Liverpool and City are apparently set to do battle off the pitch too, as TEAMtalk claims that they are two of six teams plotting a swoop for the fledgling Martinez, who plays his club football for Independiente del Valle.
Who is the ‘next Dembele’ Martinez?
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Martinez is still only a youth player for the Ecuadorian side, but the report claims that his dribbling, speed and technical qualities have drawn comparisons with Paris Saint-Germain hotshot Dembele.
The former Barcelona and Borussia Dortmund attacker has been one of the most lethal players on the European scene this season, registering a marvellous 30 goals and six assists in 37 matches across all tournaments.
As well as Liverpool and Man City, Brighton & Hove Albion – who memorably signed Moises Caicedo from Independiente del Valle in 2021 – are apparently keeping tabs on Martinez’s development and could try to use their connections to their advantage.
However, there is also fierce European competition for the 15-year-old, as German champions Bayer Leverkusen, fellow Bundesliga outfit Wolfsburg and Italian side Parma are also believed to be in the running.
Martinez’s current club Independiente have also overseen the development of Kendry Paez – who will soon be joining Chelsea – while PSG’s Willian Pacho and Leverkusen’s Piero Hincapie also came through the same system.
What other business will Liverpool, Man City do?
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Possible high-profile exits are the talk of the town at both Anfield and the Etihad right now, as Mohamed Salah and Kevin De Bruyne are both out of contract at the end of the 2024-25 season.
Liverpool are still working to tie Salah down to a new deal, but if the Reds are unsuccessful in doing so, they could reportedly make a £63.2m bid for a Serie A winger also wanted by Chelsea.
A new left-back and striker are also expected to be on Liverpool’s agenda, as well as a fresh face in midfield if the out-of-favour Wataru Endo and Tyler Morton both head for the exit door.
Meanwhile, De Bruyne is confirmed to have held talks with an MLS side, although he may supposedly be prepared to accept a reduced role at City next season if it increases his chances of playing at the 2026 World Cup.
De Bruyne could be one of several Citizens players to depart, though, as Ederson, Jack Grealish, John Stones, Bernardo Silva, Mateo Kovacic and Matheus Nunes are also expected to be on the chopping block.
