Liverpool now appear to be the Premier League club closing in on Matías Orozco, with the Deportivo Cali youngster having potentially played his final game in Colombia on Sunday.
There have been a few twists around the 18-year-old over the past few days. Brentford were initially the English club making the running, while Leeds United were also mentioned in Colombia.
The picture is much clearer now. Liverpool are being pushed as Orozco’s destination, and there are several developments pointing in that direction.
Deportivo Cali manager Rafael Dudamel has also confirmed negotiations for his departure are advanced. Only a few details remain before a move to Europe can be completed.
Liverpool scouts watched him on Sunday
Liverpool had scouts at the Estadio Deportivo Cali to watch Orozco against Inter de Bogotá on Sunday, according to information shared on VBar Caracol.
That game was considered important for their assessment of a potential signing. Orozco started and performed well in the 2-2 draw. His evening ended early when he was forced off injured during the second half, although the problem isn’t considered serious.
There had actually been some debate over whether he should play at all. Dudamel explained after the match that negotiations were already well down the road. Orozco, his family, representatives, Deportivo Cali’s board and coaching staff then discussed his involvement.
“Negotiations are advanced for Matías Orozco to go to European football. There are details still to be completed,” Dudamel said.
“That’s why he, together with his family, his agents, the board and coaching staff, agreed that he could play today. We knew there was a lot of risk, but he also really wanted to be part of the team.”
Local outlet FutbolRed, who relayed Dudamel’s quotes, believes that may have been Orozco’s final appearance for Deportivo Cali.
Journalist Diego Saviola went a little further before the game, saying the midfielder would play his last match for the Colombian club before moving to England this week.
Orozco keeping his feet on the ground
The player himself is being cautious for now. Asked after Sunday’s game whether it had been his final appearance at home for Deportivo Cali, Orozco said nothing had been confirmed.
“No, we still don’t know. These are things that surprise me, being linked with the best league in the world,” he said.
“At the moment I still don’t know anything. Nothing is known yet.”
He was even asked whether he had started learning English because of the speculation. Orozco laughed that one off, explaining he’s already been studying the language for some time and didn’t start because of everything now being said about his future.
The midfielder did, though, make clear just how much a Premier League opportunity would mean to him.
“I’m personally happy with how things are going, with how I’m growing and continuing to work towards what I want,” he said.
He later described the possibility of such a move as “a dream” for an 18-year-old so early into his career.
Friend already at Liverpool helping with deal
Orozco isn’t announcing anything yet, but things are moving around him. And there’s another Liverpool angle coming from Colombia which makes this interesting.
During VBar Caracol livestream on Sunday, teenager Samuel Martínez has been trying to convince Orozco to join Liverpool.
The pair are close friends, and that relationship is said to be helping with negotiations.
Martínez has already made the move to Liverpool, so Orozco would arrive with someone he knows well already at the club.
As of now, his manager says negotiations are advanced, Liverpool sent scouts to watch him on Sunday, and a close friend already at the Reds is reportedly helping convince him.
After all the uncertainty over which Premier League club was actually moving for Orozco, Liverpool now look to be the answer.
