Liverpool have signed Spain winger Victor Munoz from Osasuna for £34.5m – and told RB Leipzig they will pay a package worth £86m for Yan Diomande after the 19-year-old tore Germany apart at the World Cup.
The Reds confirmed Munoz’s arrival after triggering his release clause, with the 22-year-old signing a six-year deal at Anfield. Liverpool sent staff to the United States to conduct his medical on Wednesday as Munoz prepares for Spain’s World Cup campaign.
“Liverpool sign Victor Munoz and offer £86m for Yan Diomande after the 19-year-old wows Gary Neville and Ian Wright at the World Cup.”
But the bigger story is unfolding in the United States, where Diomande – also at the tournament with Ivory Coast – left ITV pundits Gary Neville and Ian Wright stunned during a 2-1 defeat by Germany. The teenager assisted Franck Kessie’s opener, delivering a cross that Germany could not deal with. By half-time, Neville was unequivocal. “On the counter-attack, they’ve got massive strength down that left-hand side with Diomande,” he said. “He’s been absolutely brilliant.”
Wright went further. “He looks afraid of him,” he said of Joshua Kimmich, the Germany right-back. Neville agreed: “He is. I’ve been there as an ageing right-back when you’ve got a young kid who’s fearless, and it’s not pleasant.”
Wright added: “He’s definitely lived up to the hype. His pressing is brilliant, his taking on is brilliant; he’s just absolutely tearing them to pieces.”
Diomande scored 12 goals and provided eight assists in the Bundesliga last season. Liverpool have been in weeks of dialogue with Leipzig and are now prepared to offer a package worth about 100m euros (£86m). Paris St-Germain are yet to make an offer, leaving Liverpool in pole position, but Leipzig want more and are reluctant to let the teenager leave this window. However, if Diomande continues to dazzle in the World Cup, a package in excess of 130m euros (£112m) would change their stance.
Munoz, meanwhile, became Liverpool’s first signing since Andoni Iraola replaced Arne Slot earlier this month. The Spain international – described by La Liga expert Phil Minshull as “one of the pearls of Spanish football” – scored seven goals and produced five assists in 36 appearances last season. He can play on both wings.
Newcastle were in advanced talks to sign Munoz after selling Anthony Gordon to Barcelona, but Liverpool hijacked the move by triggering his release clause. Munoz, a graduate of Barcelona’s La Masia academy who later made two brief substitute appearances for Real Madrid, moved to Osasuna last July for 5m euros. Madrid retained a 50% sell-on clause and had a matching rights option, but concerns over regular playing time under Jose Mourinho scuppered a return. Barcelona also showed interest before they signed Gordon.
The deal accelerated after Iraola’s appointment, with Munoz choosing Anfield. For Diomande, the next few weeks could determine whether he follows the same path – or whether his World Cup brilliance forces Leipzig’s hand.