Liverpool headed into the summer transfer window knowing they had plenty of work to do, especially in attack where the departure of legend Mohamed Salah, last summer’s failure to properly replace Luis Diaz, and an injury to Hugo Ekitike likely to keep the striker out until next year had them looking mighty thin.
Today, it appears they have secured at least one necessary attacking piece by beating Newcastle United to the signing of Osasuna’s Spanish international Víctor Muñoz, a quite rapid 22-year
right-footed left winger. Muñoz has been heavily linked with Newcastle over the past month, with the Magpies said to be trying to talk Osasuna down to €30M.
However, the player does have a €40M, and multiple reports have Liverpool having informed the La Liga club they are willing to trigger. This news caught everyone by surprise, even Fabrizio Romano who broke the story—though it has since been backed up by club-connected sources including Ben Jacobs, who is further reporting an agreed six-year deal.
Based on chatter towards the end of the season at least, Muñoz is likely to end up being one of at least two rapid winger signings when everything is said and done. Ivory Coast rising star Yan Diomande is believed to be the club’s top wing target. The Reds have also been linked with PSG and France’s Bradley Barcola.
Sources in Spain are also reporting on Muñoz’ imminent move to Liverpool, with the move of particular interest there not just to Osasuna and that club’s fans but also Real Madrid. Madrid sold Muñoz to Osasuna last summer for €5M with a 50% sell-on clause included, meaning Los Blancos will receive fully half of his release clause when Liverpool trigger it.
Muñoz made 36 appearances totalling 2,766 minutes last season for Osasuna with seven goals and five assists, good for a goal involvement every 230 minutes. Those numbers speak to the fact that while the player is known for being exceptionally rapid, he has yet to show elite end product, at least at the senior level.
