How unexpected Victor Munoz move impacts Liverpool's pursuit of Yan Diomande
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Liverpool FC NewsFeaturesLiverpool FCLiverpool have confirmed the signing of Victor Munoz from Osasuna for €40 million, while reports confirm they remain optimistic about landing RB Leipzig's Yan DiomandeLiverpool has signed Victor Munoz from Osasuna for €40 million(Image: Getty)Liverpool have moved quickly in the summer transfer window, hijacking Newcastle United's move for Spain winger Victor Munoz by activating his €40 million release clause at Osasuna.Reports from TEAMtalk have also confirmed that the signing will not slow their pursuit of RB Leipzig's Yan Diomande, with the club remaining optimistic about landing the 19-year-old despite fierce competition from Paris Saint-Germain.Munoz, 22, had been closing in on a move to Newcastle when Liverpool swooped late to secure his signature for new manager Andoni Iraola, who left Bournemouth to take charge at Anfield. The Spaniard has completed his medical and is set to sign a six-year contract, becoming Iraola's first signing since arriving on Merseyside.
Meanwhile, Diomande has penned an emotional tribute to his sister, who died at the age of 15.He scored on his senior Spain debut in March, netting in a 3-0 win over Serbia, and is currently in Luis de la Fuente's World Cup squad, though he was an unused substitute in the 0-0 draw with Cape Verde.The arrival of Munoz addresses Liverpool's urgent need for wide attacking options following Mohamed Salah's departure, but it does not represent the end of their transfer activity.Liverpool view the Munoz deal and the Diomande pursuit as separate, complementary operations rather than alternatives, and reports indicate the club are optimistic about completing a deal for the RB Leipzig forward, who they have been tracking closely since last winter.Yan Diomande made his mark at the World Cup with a standout performance against Ecuador(Image: Photo by Harry Langer/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty Images)Diomande announced himself on the World Cup stage when he ripped through Arsenal's Piero Hincapie in Ivory Coast's opener against Ecuador, a performance that only accelerated transfer speculation.Leipzig are holding out for a fee in the region of €130 million, and they are expected to hand Diomande a new contract on his return from the tournament.Neither of those factors has deterred Liverpool, who according to journalist Fabrizio Romano are prepared to offer more than PSG both in terms of the transfer fee and the personal contract being put to the player.Yan Diomande is reportedly close to a move to Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)PSG's interest is real and cannot be discounted. However, they are operating with a complicating factor: there is no guaranteed space for Diomande in their squad while Bradley Barcola remains, and the French club are not actively looking to move the winger on.
IReports have also indicated that a deal for Diomande's signature being finalized during the World Cup itself is not out of the question.Liverpool have maintained almost daily contact with the player's representatives and Iraola is said to have given his personal approval to the move, viewing Diomande's profile as an ideal fit for his attacking system.For a club that also signed Simon Francis as sporting director after Richard Hughes departed, and lost Salah after years of elite service, the summer represents a fundamental reshaping of the squad.Choose Liverpool.com as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.Liverpool FC