Liverpool have triggered the release clause of Osasuna winger Victor Munoz, who is set to become the first signing of the Andoni Iraola era at Anfield this summer
Victor Munoz of Spain
Victor Munoz has established a stellar reputation in Spain(Image: Irina R. Hipolito/Getty Images)
View 4 Images
Liverpool have given their fans something to look forward to with the news that Victor Munoz is set to become the first signing of the Andoni Iraola era.
The Reds have triggered the €40million (£34.6m) release clause in his Osasuna contract and the 22-year-old will sign a six-year deal at Anfield. They have worked hard to beat rivals to the exciting winger, who is currently with Spain at the World Cup.
The deal is the culmination of a rapid rise for Munoz, who has shot to prominence in the 2025/26 season. He only joined Osasuna from Real Madrid for €5m last July and, much like fellow Liverpool transfer target Yan Diomande, has only taken one season to catapult himself into the minds of top European clubs' scouting teams.
Reds win the race
Munoz's eye-catching performances, international breakthrough and relatively low release clause meant that Liverpool were far from the only club interested. The Liverpool Echo reports that Newcastle, Bayer Leverkusen, Manchester United and Real Madrid were all sniffing around, but Liverpool acted fast to get the deal done.
Sporting director Richard Hughes and Fenway Sports Group’s chief executive of football Michael Edwards were behind it, but Iraola also played a crucial role. The Spaniard is renowned for developing young players and his compatriot appears to be a good fit.
Liverpool sent a delegation out to Atalanta, where Spain are based for the World Cup, and Munoz completed his medical on Wednesday. Newcastle may feel particularly irritated, having been in talks last week to sign Munoz - and having been pipped to Hugo Ekitike by Liverpool last summer.
Victor Munoz completed his medical while at the World Cup with Spain(Image: Ulrik Pedersen/Getty Images)
View 4 Images
What Liverpool are getting is an extremely exciting, versatile and old school winger. Munoz is only 5ft 8in and is fast, direct and unafraid of taking on his marker one-on-one.
He is right-footed and has generally been played on the left wing by Osasuna, yet is comfortable going on either foot and at driving from deep to trigger counter-attacks. “I feel comfortable in any position," he said recently. "It's true that I feel at ease playing close to a striker, dropping deep to receive the ball and bringing it up.”
Munoz's pace is his most obvious asset. He was clocked at 35kph (21mph) during the 2025/26 season, making him one of the quickest players in La Liga. “It’s a quality I’ve always had since I was little, but it’s true that as time goes by you work on it more specifically," he said of his speed.
Liverpool never replaced Luis Diaz when he left for Bayern Munich last summer, with Rio Ngumoha the closest thing left in the squad after the Colombian's departure. While he can play on the right wing, Munoz is not a replacement for Mohamed Salah. Instead, he could end up replacing Diaz a year after his exit. The pursuit of RB Leipzig's Diomande, who is at the World Cup with Ivory Coast, continues with a €100m (£86.5m) fee mooted.
Aitor Ruibal of Real Betis, Victor Munoz of Osasuna
Victor Munoz is direct and fast(Image: Cesar Ortiz Gonzalez/Getty Images)
View 4 Images
Munoz returned seven goals and five assists in 36 appearances for Osasuna in the 2025/26 season. Having decided to leave Real Madrid, where he made just four first-team appearances, Munoz was thrust into the spotlight at Osasuna and he flourished, despite the team's struggles.
Osasuna only just escaped relegation from La Liga, finishing in 17th place on goal difference, with their manager getting sacked at the end of the campaign. But it was the perfect environment for Munoz, who was given more responsibility than he might have got higher up the division.
Having spent time in Barcelona's famed La Masia academy, he later joined Real Madrid, so has tasted football at Spain's two giants. He didn't need their platform to earn an international call-up though, with Luis de la Fuente picking him in March for the first time.
Victor Munoz of Spain celebrates scoring his team's third goal during the International Friendly match between Spain and Serbia
Victor Munoz scored on debut for Spain(Image: Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
View 4 Images
Munoz scored on his debut, a 3-0 win against Serbia, and clearly impressed his manager - both on and off the pitch. "He's very humble," De la Fuente said. "One more person joining the cause. I just ask him to keep it up, because it's the best way to grow.”
His attitude was also shown by the fact that he played through discomfort to help keep Osasuna in La Liga. Munoz made the Spain squad for the World Cup, where he may struggle for game time but is training alongside Barcelona's Lamine Yamal and Athletic Club's Nico Williams. Once the tournament is finished, he'll have Liverpool to look forward to.
Join our LFC WhatsApp community and get all the latest LFC news, views, transfer gossip and more, as it happens We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Upgrade your World Cup TV setup with the Sky Glass 'designed for football'
Content Image
Content Image