Victor Munoz completes Liverpool medical as Reds beat 4 clubs in transfer battle

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Liverpool has agreed a deal to sign Spain World Cup international Victor Munoz from Osasuna, with the versatile forward set to become the first signing of the Andoni Iraola eraVictor Munoz is heading to Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)Victor Munoz completed his Liverpool medical on Wednesday and is set to put pen to paper on a six-year contract, becoming the first signing of the Andoni Iraola era at a cost of £34.5 million ($46 million).Not only did the Reds pip Newcastle to the signature of the Spain international Munoz, but it is also understood that Liverpool saw off competition from a host of other clubs, including Bayer Leverkusen, Manchester United, and Real Madrid.Barcelona had also shown interest in Munoz before securing the services of England international Anthony Gordon, though Real Madrid's matching rights clause in its agreement with Osasuna swiftly eliminated the La Liga champion from the running.Liverpool has activated Munoz's release clause with Osasuna, of which 50 percent is owed to Real Madrid, who sold the player last summer, and the ECHO understands that new head coach Iraola was instrumental in securing the 22-year-old.The 20-time champions accelerated their long-held interest in Munoz following early discussions between Iraola and the club's recruitment staff, with the Reds boss eager to explore a potential deal owing to his admiration for the former Real Madrid youngster.Liverpool will pay the fee in two installments, and the versatile Munoz is expected to bolster a forward line that lost Mohamed Salah at the end of last season and will be without Hugo Ekitike for the foreseeable future following a ruptured Achilles tendon.Munoz is currently with Spain at the World Cup(Image: Getty Images)Reports emerging from France this week suggest Ekitike is aiming for a return during the traditionally frantic festive period in December, yet the former Eintracht Frankfurt striker is still using a crutch following the serious injury he sustained against Paris Saint-Germain in a Champions League quarterfinal back in early April.The severity of Ekitike's injury prompted Liverpool to further strengthen its attacking options, and the imminent signing of Munoz is not expected to hinder the pursuit of RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande, with whom the Reds are currently in negotiations. Paris Saint-Germain is also keeping tabs on Ivory Coast winger Diomande, though Leipzig remains reluctant to part with the 19-year-old.The ECHO understands that the club dispatched a delegation to the United States, where Munoz is currently based with Spain for the World Cup, and a medical has already been completed ahead of finalizing the formalities of the deal, following clearance from the Spanish Football Federation.The medical took place in Chattanooga, Tennessee, where Spain is presently headquartered for its World Cup campaign, which kicked off with a goalless draw against minnows Cape Verde on Monday.

Munoz did not feature for the European champions.Liverpool's recruitment team had been assessing profiles that they believe will bring out the best of Alexander Isak next season, and Munoz, who predominantly plays on the left, is considered someone who can provide added depth across the attacking positions.Munoz's tactical flexibility means he can operate across the entire frontline, leading Liverpool to feel the new arrival will not have a detrimental impact on the development of Rio Ngumoha, who earned his England debut earlier this month, more than two months before his 18th birthday.Munoz contributed six goals and two assists in 34 La Liga appearances for Osasuna. The forthcoming transfer marks the third time in a year that Liverpool have dealt Newcastle a significant blow in the transfer market, having beaten them to Ekitike last summer before securing Isak, much to the frustration of the North East club, which was keen to retain the latter.Born in Catalonia, 22-year-old Munoz spent three years at Barcelona's renowned La Masia academy, but after a stint with Catalan youth side CF Damm, he joined Real Madrid at 18.