Liverpool is reportedly in a battle with a host of top European clubs to land Ecuadorian teenager Johan Martinez, who has been likened to Ousmane Dembele.

TEAMtalk refers to Martinez as a "prodigy" and says that both Liverpool and Manchester City are keeping tabs on the 15-year-old attacker.

Martinez currently plays for Independiente del Valle, the same side that produced Chelsea midfielder Moises Caicedo; Caicedo was signed from Independiente by Brighton in 2021, and it is reported that Brighton is also among the clubs interested in Martinez.

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The youngster apparently has incredible dribbling skills and is competent with both feet, which have prompted the comparisons with Dembele.

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While Liverpool is in the market for high-profile, senior additions during the summer transfer window, the Reds are well aware that there is value to be had in signing youngsters from lesser-known soccer nations.

The Reds may have to act to land Martinez, though, as Bayer Leverkusen, Parma and Wolfsburg are all reported to have joined the race to sign the winger.

While Martinez could be an exciting talent for the future, Liverpool is also on the lookout for players to make an immediate impact in the senior team next season.

Liverpool is enjoying a brilliant campaign under new head coach Arne Slot, but the last couple of results have posed questions about the strength of the squad.

Slot has largely relied on the same small group of players throughout the season, suggesting he doesn't have much faith in the backup options in his squad, and there have been signs of late that the Dutchman's most trusted players are starting to feel the effects of what has been an intense season.

It's looking like it could be a busy summer at Liverpool: Darwin Nunez could leave; Luis Diaz has been linked with a move to Barcelona; Harvey Elliott, Federico Chiesa and Wataru Endo have barely figured over the course of the campaign; and there is also the well-documented uncertainty surrounding the futures of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk.


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