Newcastle United transfers: Liverpool are set to sign Victor Munoz from Osasuna despite Newcastle agreeing a deal to sign the winger.
Liverpool have triggered Victor Munoz’s £35million release clause to strike a deal with Osasuna from under Newcastle United’s nose.
The Magpies had identified the 22-year-old Spain international as their first-choice replacement for Anthony Gordon, who joined Barcelona for £70million at the start of the month.
The Gazette understands Newcastle had verbally agreed personal terms with Munoz as well as a transfer fee with Osasuna below the player’s release clause. The deal had also been given the green light by Real Madrid, who hold 50% of Munoz’s economic rights after selling him to Osasuna last summer.
Although Newcastle were aware of Liverpool’s interest, they were told Munoz’s preference was to make the move to St James’ Park. But actions speak louder than words, and the reality turned out to be the opposite.
Earlier this year, Osasuna sporting director Braulio Vazquez went public in insisting the player would only be sold for his £35million release clause, stating the club ‘won’t even listen’ to offers below it.
It was a clear warning to interested clubs, yet Newcastle felt they had got a good deal by agreeing a fee below the clause with Osasuna, before Liverpool triggered the clause and got the deal over the line.
“Real Madrid has a three-year buy-back clause that has already been agreed upon," Vazquez confirmed earlier this year.
"What we're doing is enjoying Víctor until the end of the season. Football is very unpredictable.
"Many people criticised us for signing such a young player with so few minutes in La Liga. Now they're asking us why we didn't buy him outright.
"It's complicated. We happily accepted the terms Real Madrid set. Víctor Muñoz made the right call, and so did we."
Newcastle must now look at other left-wing targets in the knowledge that they are not their first choice and will likely be more expensive than the fee they thought they had agreed for Munoz.
It a major early blow in the summer transfer window for the club, who were keen to convey a message that lessons had been learnt from last summer’s window.
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