Liverpool have pulled off a sensational hijack of Newcastle's move for Spain winger Victor Munoz – and simultaneously told RB Leipzig they will pay a package worth about £86m for Yan Diomande.
The 22-year-old Munoz was in advanced talks with Newcastle, who had sold Anthony Gordon to Barcelona and earmarked the Osasuna star as his replacement. But Liverpool triggered his £34.5m release clause, sending staff to the United States on Wednesday to conduct his medical while Munoz is with Spain at the World Cup.
“Liverpool sign Victor Munoz in £34.5m hijack from Newcastle and prepare £86m bid for Yan Diomande.”
“He is one of the pearls of Spanish football,” said La Liga expert Phil Minshull, praising Munoz’s work-rate in attack and defence. The forward, who can play on both wings, scored seven goals and produced five assists in 36 appearances last season and made his international debut in March. He will sign a six-year deal at Anfield, with the fee paid in two instalments.
Munoz is a graduate of Barcelona’s La Masia academy and later joined Real Madrid, where he made two brief substitute appearances in La Liga. Madrid retained a 50% sell-on clause and had a matching rights option, but concerns over regular playing time under Jose Mourinho made a return a non-starter. Barcelona also showed interest before they signed Gordon in a deal worth more than £69m. Manchester United and Bayer Leverkusen were keen too, but Munoz chose Anfield – a decision accelerated by the appointment of Andoni Iraola as head coach earlier this month. Iraola replaced Arne Slot, and Munoz becomes Liverpool’s first signing under the new boss.
The pattern mirrors last summer, when Hugo Ekitike chose Liverpool over Newcastle before Alexander Isak forced a move from St James’ Park to Anfield. Now the Reds have repeated the trick for Munoz.
Meanwhile, Liverpool have also made their intentions clear over Diomande, the 19-year-old Ivory Coast winger also at the World Cup. The Reds told RB Leipzig they are willing to pay a package worth about 100m euros (£86m) for the teenager, who scored 12 goals and provided eight assists in the Bundesliga last season. Paris St-Germain are in the race but have yet to make an offer, leaving Liverpool in pole position. However, Leipzig want more than that package and have no desire to let Diomande leave this window. The understanding is that if he performs well at the tournament, a package in excess of 130m euros (£112m) would change their stance.