Newcastle United are reportedly closing in on signing 17-year-old Johan Martinez from Independiente del Valle this year.
Johan Martinez is highly rated in South America, and he has a bright future ahead of himself. According to an update by reputed Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, Newcastle United have now agreed on a deal in principle to sign the player. The Independiente del Valle winger will join Newcastle when he turns 18.
The young attacker was also linked with Arsenal and Chelsea. Meanwhile, Liverpool and Manchester City wanted to sign him last year.
🚨⚪️⚫️ Newcastle have agreed deal in principle to sign Independiente del Valle winger Johan Martinez, here we go!
Ecuadorian 2009 born talent will join as soon as he turns 18, after verbal agreement in place. 🇪🇨
Clubs hope to sign all documents this week. pic.twitter.com/iPm1YL4w9S
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) March 30, 2026
Newcastle United agree Johan Martinez deal
A verbal agreement is already in place, and the clubs are expected to sign the documents later this week. The opportunity to move to the Premier League will be exciting for Martinez. It will be a huge step up in his career, and he will get to test himself at the highest level.
The Ecuadorian wonderkid might not be a guaranteed starter for Newcastle United right now, but he will be a useful option for them in the final third. Regular football in England could help him improve further and accelerate his development. It remains to be seen whether he can hit the ground running in English football.
Martinez is one for the future
Newcastle United are looking to build a formidable team for the future, and it is no surprise that they have invested in a talented young player like Martinez. The teenage sensation has tremendous potential, and he could develop into an important player with the right guidance.
Newcastle United have endured a mediocre 2025/26 campaign, and they will look to bounce back strongly next year. They need quality additions during the summer transfer window. They should look to add more unpredictability and goals to the attacking unit.
The Magpies are one of the wealthiest clubs in the world, and they have an ambitious project. Martinez will look to fight for trophies with them in the coming seasons. Meanwhile, Eddie Howe has done well to groom young players at Newcastle United since taking over as the club’s manager.
The English tactician will also be hoping to play a key role in the development of the South American attacker. If Newcastle United can sign him for a reasonable amount of money, the deal could look like a shrewd investment in future, especially considering the kind of premium money the world’s most sought-after prodigies command.