Here we go’ – Ross Wilson set to complete first Newcastle United transfer as £2.6m deal agreed

Newcastle United transfer news: The club has reportedly agreed a deal to sign Johan Martinez from Independiente del Valle.

Newcastle United have agreed a deal in principle to sign 16-year-old winger Johan Martinez from Independiente del Valle of Ecuador, according to Fabrizio Romano

As previously reported, Martinez will not join Newcastle until he turns 18 due to transfer rules involving young players from abroad.

It comes after Newcastle sporting director Ross Wilson expanded Newcastle’s scouting network in South America with the appointment of Thomas Federspiel in December as the club’s new global talent scout in Brazil, Colombia and Ecuador.

Martinez hails from one of Ecuador’s top academies in Independiente del Valle, famous for producing several players who have gone on to have success in Europe, most notably Moises Caicedo. Caicedo joined Brighton & Hove Albion from Independiente for just £4million in 2021 before being sold to Chelsea two-and-a-half years later for over £100million.

The deal for Martinez is understood to be worth around £2.6million.

Fabrizio Romano: ‘Here we go’

For the first time since Newcastle signed Yoane Wissa on deadline day last summer, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has issued a ‘here we go’ X post concerning an incoming signing for the club.

The Magpies are looking to finalise an agreement this week.

Romano posted: “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.”

Should the deal go ahead, Martinez will join Newcastle ahead of the 2027/28 season as he turns 18 next May.

The deal would mark the first official transfer agreement of Wilson’s tenure as sporting director – though he’ll be hoping to have a few fresh faces through the door by the time Martinez arrives.