Liverpool secures Victor Munoz with €40 million release clause
Liverpool have officially completed the acquisition of Spanish winger Victor Munoz, activating his €40 million (£34.5 million) release clause at Osasuna to secure the 22-year-old ahead of Newcastle United, reports BritPanorama.
The deal marks Andoni Iraola’s inaugural signing since taking charge at Anfield following Arne Slot’s departure earlier this month.
Munoz has committed to a six-year contract with the Merseyside club, who will settle the transfer fee across two payments.
Newcastle had been engaged in advanced negotiations for the forward after selling Anthony Gordon to Barcelona, but Liverpool moved swiftly to trigger the buyout clause and win the race for his signature.
Munoz arrives at Anfield as a member of Spain’s World Cup squad, having earned his first international cap in March. La Liga expert Phil Minshull described the winger as “one of the pearls of Spanish football” with an impressive work ethic.
Typically operating from the left flank, Munoz came through Barcelona’s renowned La Masia youth system before joining Real Madrid, where he made two substitute appearances. He transferred to Osasuna in July 2025 for €5 million (£3.8 million), scoring seven goals and registering five assists across 36 matches during the previous campaign.
Real Madrid retained a 50 per cent sell-on clause and matching rights, although concerns regarding playing time under Jose Mourinho deterred any return. Munoz chose Liverpool despite interest from Manchester United and Bayer Leverkusen. Iraola was particularly attracted to the Spaniard’s pace, effectiveness against deep-lying defenses, and quality in the final third.
Mohamed Salah’s impending departure has created an obvious requirement for attacking reinforcements at Anfield.
Liverpool believes Munoz will complement existing options Rio Ngumoha and Cody Gakpo, adding versatility to their forward line without limiting opportunities for 17-year-old Ngumoha, who recently made his England debut. While acknowledging that Munoz’s overall output needs improvement, the club’s confidence in his development is evident in the lengthy contract commitment.
Liverpool has a history of hijacking Newcastle’s transfer targets. Last summer, Hugo Ekitike chose Liverpool over the Magpies before Alexander Isak subsequently forced a move from St James’ Park to Anfield.
For Newcastle, who identified Munoz as Gordon’s long-term replacement, the miss represents a significant setback despite their efforts to act swiftly and avoid a repeat of last year’s difficult transfer window. Liverpool are expected to pursue further attacking additions this summer, with strong interest in RB Leipzig’s Yan Diomande, the 19-year-old Ivory Coast international currently at the World Cup, who is also attracting Paris Saint-Germain’s attention. Federico Chiesa may depart, with Italian clubs circling the forward who managed just one Premier League start last season.
In a transfer saga marked by swift movements and high stakes, Liverpool’s successful capture of Munoz illustrates the ongoing competitiveness in the Premier League. With each acquisition, the landscape of the league shifts ever so slightly, illustrating how quickly ambition replaces opportunity on the footballing stage.
