Liverpool have snatched Victor Munoz from under Newcastle's noses, hijacking the £34.5m signing of the Spanish winger after days of haggling between the Magpies and Osasuna.
Newcastle had appeared in pole position to land the 22-year-old, with Eddie Howe viewing him as the ideal replacement for Anthony Gordon, who left for Barcelona in a £70m move this month. But Liverpool, led by new manager Andoni Iraola, stepped in and agreed to meet Munoz's release clause in full, blowing the dawdling Tyneside club out of the water.
“Liverpool have snatched Victor Munoz from Newcastle in a £34.5m deal, hijacking the transfer at the last minute.”
Munoz has already agreed personal terms on a contract running until 2032 and will put pen to paper after undergoing a medical in the United States, where he is currently on World Cup duty with Spain. The left-footed livewire caught the eye with six goals and two assists in La Liga last season, but failed to get off the bench as La Roja were held to a shock stalemate by Cape Verde on Monday. He will now hope to cap his switch to Liverpool by winning his third cap when Spain face Saudi Arabia on Sunday.
The transfer brings joy to Iraola, who begins his Anfield reign with the capture of a compatriot to solve a long-running problem position. It comes as a bitter blow to Howe, who viewed Munoz as the ideal replacement for Gordon.
Real Madrid, who sold Munoz to Osasuna for just £4.1m 12 months ago, had first refusal on whether to invoke a £35m buy-back option as part of that deal. The Spanish giants opted against it, but will benefit to the tune of £17.3m from a sell-on clause that was also included.
Liverpool have already officially agreed deals for two new signings this summer: an initial £2.6m for teenage Austrian defender Ifeanyi Ndukwe, and fellow centre-back Jeremy Jacquet, who sealed his £60m switch from Rennes back in February. The Reds have also been linked with a mega move for RB Leipzig and Ivory Coast winger Yan Diomande, 19, one of world football's most exciting young talents, though the German outfit want to hold out for at least £100m.