Newcastle United came close to signing Victor Munoz before Liverpool hijacked the deal.
Andoni Iraola has suggested Victor Munoz and Alexis Mac Allister could miss the Premier League opener at St James’ Park.
Newcastle United came within a whisker of signing Munoz earlier this summer. Toon representatives flew to the US after all but agreeing a deal with Osasuna.
However, as was the case with Hugo Ekitike last summer, Liverpool swooped in to hijack the move. The Magpies quickly changed tack to sign Bazoumana Toure for £42million from Hoffenheim.
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FIFA guidance
Munoz was included in the 26-man Spain squad that lifted the World Cup. Unfortunately for him, he did not play a single minute as his nation secured a second star on their shirt across the pond.
FIFA guidance recommends clubs give players three weeks off at the end of the campaign. Newcastle will also be without Dan Burn for an extended period due to his England commitments.
The Magpies are set to face Liverpool on August 23 - giving those competing in the latter stages of the World Cup little chance to prepare for the new campaign. Mac Allister also played for Argentina in the final, meaning Newcastle could face a depleted Reds outfit on the opening day.
Andoni Iraola on Victor Munoz
Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola has hinted at Munoz being unavailable for the Premier League curtain-raiser. Toon fans are already preparing for one transfer mercenary - Alexander Isak - to face the St James’ Park wrath.
“I think the most difficult situations logically will be Alexis and Victor because they played until the end of the tournament,” Iraola told the club website. “I think they deserve their holidays and some rest also. I hope they have time to at least train with us a little bit, but it is true that it will probably affect the beginning of the season a little bit.
“We cannot only think in the short-term and the first game against Newcastle. We have to also understand, especially in the case of Alexis, who played a lot of minutes during the season and a lot of minutes in the World Cup, that they deserve this rest. All the others should be fine to arrive in perfect condition for the first game.”