Liverpool set to sign Newcastle target Munoz after triggering release clause
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Liverpool are set to sign Newcastle target Victor Munoz after triggering the Osasuna winger's £34.5m release clause.Newcastle thought they had a deal for the Spain international and even had the wheels in motion for Munoz to have a medical before Liverpool moved ahead of them in a repeat of last summer's move for Hugo Ekitike. Liverpool, who are set to pay the transfer fee in two instalments, are bringing in a versatile and pacey winger who predominantly plays off the left but can also be used on the right and through the middle.Transfer Centre LIVE! | Liverpool news & transfers🔴Liverpool fixtures & scores | FREE Liverpool PL highlights▶️Got Sky?
Download the Sky Sports App Get Sky Sports Current Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso gave the winger his LaLiga debut for the first team in May 2025, introducing him as a substitute for Vinicius Junior against Barca.Munoz signed a five-year deal at Osasuna that summer and played 34 league games last season, scoring six goals and providing two assists.How Liverpool beat Newcastle to MunozLatest from Sky Sports News' Keith Downie:Newcastle thought they had a deal for Victor Munoz before Liverpool swooped in to sign the Osasuna winger.Newcastle had a £33.3m fee - an initial £29m plus £4.3m in add-ons - accepted by the LaLiga club.The 22-year-old had agreed personal terms and told Newcastle that he wanted to come, while agent fees were also agreed. Image: Newcastle thought they had a deal in place for Spain international Victor Munoz Newcastle had the wheels in motion for a medical over in the US and felt they had a deal in place.But they were instructed by the player's representatives to wait over the last 24 hours.Liverpool had always been at the table for the Spain international, so they did not come in at the last minute, but Newcastle had been told the player wanted to sign for them.Newcastle are now licking their wounds inflicted by Liverpool again after what happened with Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike last summer, and are trying to get to the bottom of what happened in the last 24 hours.What does it mean for Diomande?Liverpool had always planned to sign more than one winger this summer, as they look to replace Mohamed Salah, and Munoz's arrival does not end their interest in RB Leipzig's in-demand winger Yan Diomande, who is their top wide target this summer.However, the 19-year-old Ivory Coast international will be very hard to get over the line because of the widespread interest from top clubs in Europe and Leipzig's attempts to sign him to a new contract.
Image: Ivory Coast's Yan Diomande (11) is also a target for Liverpool How do Liverpool see Munoz fitting in?Liverpool wanted to add more flexibility to their forward line this summer and Munoz fits that bill. He has primarily been used off the left but can play on both wings and also has the capacity to play through the middle.As well as being a multi-functional attacker, Munoz is a direct winger who will add pace to Liverpool's attack which was another priority for the summer window.Munoz's versatility will provide Iraola with more options and gives Liverpool a greater ability to cope when injuries hit as they did last season as well as enhancing competition for places.His ability to play in numerous positions is also seen as a positive inside Liverpool because it he is unlikely to limit Rio Ngumoha's first-team opportunities.