How Victor Munoz Could Transform Liverpool's Game

Liverpool are developing a pattern of snatching transfer targets from under Newcastle's nose. Last summer, it was Hugo Ekitké whom the Reds plucked away from their Premier League rivals. Nearly a year later, reports have emerged that Liverpool have now struck a surprise agreement for Osasuna winger Víctor Muñoz.

Muñoz had been in negotiations with Newcastle, but now looks set to join a growing list of targets the Magpies have failed to secure in recent years.

For Liverpool, the €40 million ($45 million) Muñoz will become the first arrival of a crucial summer transfer window. Despite last summer's significant expenditure, the squad requires substantial reshaping ahead of Andoni Iraola's first season in charge.

The wide attacking positions are a particular worry at Anfield, especially following Mohamed Salah's departure after nine years. The decline of Cody Gakpo and the anticipated exit of Federico Chiesa leave the Reds severely short of options, with 17-year-old Rio Ngumoha the club's only other senior winger.

What Type of Player Is Muñoz?

In Muñoz, Liverpool are acquiring one of Spanish football's most exciting young talents.

At 22, the winger — who had stints at both Barcelona and Real Madrid — is coming off a breakthrough campaign with Osasuna, his first full season in La Liga, which culminated in him earning a place in Luis de la Fuente's Spain World Cup squad.

While his output of six goals and two assists across 34 appearances in 2025–26 may seem fairly modest, it should be noted that this came during a debut season at a struggling Osasuna side who only narrowly escaped relegation.

There is certainly room to improve his goal contributions as he matures, but Muñoz has already proven himself to be the kind of player who excites crowds in Spain with his directness and blistering speed.

He was recorded as La Liga's second fastest player in 2025–26 at 35.5 km/h (22 mph), and once told AS that he reached 36.6 km/h (22.7 mph) during pre-season with Real Madrid's B team.

Only three players (Lamine Yamal, Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappé) completed more dribbles in La Liga in 2025–26 than Muñoz's 75, while only one player under 25 (Yamal) attempted more shots than his 81.

He also appears to have a bright international future, having scored an impressive outside-of-the-boot finish on his Spain debut in a 3–0 victory over Serbia back in March.

La Liga Attackers Under 25 in 2025–26

Muñoz has likely been identified by Liverpool's hierarchy as possessing the qualities needed to inject energy and dynamism into an attack that appeared stagnant for long stretches of last season.

He also suits new manager Iraola's high-intensity approach, and his versatility allows him to fill several roles across the front line — though he featured most frequently on the left flank for both Osasuna and Spain.

Given his age and profile, he is unlikely to serve as a direct replacement for Salah, but should provide healthy competition for Gakpo, or potentially step in as the Dutchman's successor if he departs.

Why Didn't Real Madrid Re-Sign Muñoz?

When Muñoz joined Osasuna for €5 million ($5.75 million) from Real Madrid last summer, Los Blancos inserted a three-year buy-back clause into the deal, along with entitlement to 50% of any future transfer fee.

Before Liverpool's interest emerged, there had been speculation that Madrid would move to reclaim the promising talent given his impressive performances at Osasuna.

However, it appears Madrid have ultimately chosen not to exercise their option to re-sign a player who made four appearances for the club, with new manager José Mourinho instead focusing on a defensive rebuild this summer.

After catching the eye under Raúl in the Castilla B team, Muñoz made his senior Real Madrid debut as a substitute for Vinícius Jr in the 88th minute of a 4–3 loss to Barcelona in May 2025.

The youngster, who was born in Barcelona and also spent time at La Masía, deactivated his social media accounts following that match after receiving online abuse from supporters for missing a one-on-one opportunity to equalise late in the game.

Should Liverpool's move for Muñoz proceed as anticipated for €40 million, Madrid will still receive €20 million ($23 million) through their sell-on clause.

What Does Muñoz's Signing Mean for Diomande Deal?

Before news of this transfer emerged, Liverpool had been strongly linked with RB Leipzig's prodigious winger Yan Diomande.

The 19-year-old, currently representing Côte d'Ivoire at the 2026 World Cup, is regarded as one of European football's premier talents following his own standout season in Germany.

Reports indicate the Reds would need to spend in excess of €100m ($87 million) to persuade RB Leipzig to part with their prized asset, who is contracted until 2030.

While it would mean another summer of heavy investment, the acquisition of Muñoz does not close the door on a potential move for Diomande. Liverpool are expected to sign more than one attacker to offset Salah's departure, as well as the uncertain futures of Chiesa and Gakpo, and Ekitiké's extended injury absence.

Speaking at the World Cup, Côte d'Ivoire head coach Emerse Faé told the media that Diomande will only consider his next club once the tournament concludes.

"When we were in France, journalists told me he was about to sign with PSG," Faé said following the win over Ecuador. "Here, they tell me he's about to sign with Liverpool!

"I don't know, but for now, he will focus on the World Cup, and then afterwards, he can think about the rest of his career."

How Might Liverpool Line Up With Muñoz?

What is evident is that in Muñoz, Liverpool are bringing in a flexible attacker capable of operating across multiple positions.

SI answers is our AI answer engine trained on human-created content.

While he has predominantly played out wide in La Liga, the right-footed 22-year-old has also been deployed centrally and as a centre-forward for Osasuna.

Muñoz's attributes as a rapid winger align well with Iraola's favoured 4-2-3-1 formation, and he is expected to compete most often for the left wing berth — particularly if another right winger such as Diomande is also brought in.