Liverpool have already spent £34.5m on Spain winger Victor Munoz and are now chasing a deal worth up to £112m for Ivory Coast star Yan Diomande, as they urgently reshape their attack ahead of Mohamed Salah's departure. The club's aggressive moves in the summer 2026 transfer window show the high-stakes game of replacing a legend while rivals circle and clubs use sell-on clauses, release fees and World Cup performances to drive up prices.
Victor Munoz became Liverpool’s first signing under new head coach Andoni Iraola when the Reds triggered his €40m (£34.5m) release clause at Osasuna. The 22-year-old, who can play on both wings, signed a six-year contract after Liverpool hijacked Newcastle’s advanced deal by paying the fee in two instalments. Munoz, described by La Liga expert Phil Minshull as “one of the pearls of Spanish football”, scored seven goals and set up five more in 36 appearances last season. He is a graduate of Barcelona’s La Masia academy and made two brief substitute appearances for Real Madrid before moving to Osasuna in July 2025 for €5m. Madrid retained a 50% sell-on clause and a matching rights option, but Munoz turned down a return because of concerns over playing time under Jose Mourinho. Barcelona also showed interest before signing Anthony Gordon from Newcastle.
“Liverpool sign Munoz and chase Diomande after Salah departure: explained”
Liverpool’s pursuit of 19-year-old Yan Diomande is more complicated. The Reds have offered a package worth €100m (£86.7m) to RB Leipzig for the winger, but the German club have rejected it, holding out for at least €120m (£104.1m) – and potentially up to €130m (£112m) if Diomande impresses at the World Cup. Diomande scored 12 goals and provided eight assists in the Bundesliga last season. He is at the World Cup with Ivory Coast, and Paris Saint-Germain, who have won the last two Champions League titles, are also interested but have not yet made an offer. Leipzig have no desire to lose him this window, but sources say a strong tournament could push his value beyond Liverpool’s current bid.
The urgency for Liverpool is clear: Mohamed Salah is set to leave this summer, leaving a huge creative and goalscoring void. Last year the club spent big on Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike, but further reinforcements are needed. Munoz’s arrival and the Diomande chase show Liverpool are targeting young, versatile attackers capable of growing into world-class talents.
For UK fans, Liverpool’s transfer activity matters because it directly impacts the Premier League title race. The club is rebuilding an attack that has been central to its recent success. The involvement of Munoz and Diomande at the World Cup also means their values could rise sharply – or fall – depending on how they perform, adding extra drama to an already tense window.
Q: What is a release clause and why did Liverpool trigger it for Munoz? A release clause is a fixed buyout fee in a player’s contract. By paying the €40m clause in two instalments, Liverpool could sign Munoz without needing Osasuna’s permission, beating Newcastle who were in advanced talks to buy the player through a normal negotiation.
Q: How can the World Cup affect a player's transfer fee? A strong tournament can dramatically increase a player’s market value. RB Leipzig have indicated that if Diomande performs well at the 2026 World Cup, his price could rise from €100m to above €130m, as clubs are willing to pay more for proven international pedigree.
Q: Why did Liverpool 'hijack' Newcastle’s deal for Munoz? Liverpool stepped in after Newcastle had advanced talks and had sold Anthony Gordon to Barcelona. By activating Munoz’s release clause directly, Liverpool circumvented Newcastle’s negotiations with Osasuna and offered the player a six-year deal under new head coach Iraola, mirroring their hijack of Hugo Ekitike from Newcastle last summer.
What happens next depends on Yan Diomande’s performances at the World Cup in the United States. If he shines, Liverpool may need to increase their bid to beyond €120m to persuade Leipzig to sell – or risk losing him to PSG. Meanwhile, Munoz will join up with his new teammates after the tournament, becoming the first piece of Liverpool’s post-Salah attack.