The La Liga chief has confirmed the Black Cats made a major bid in January but insists the club refused to enter negotiations
Osasuna’s sporting director has confirmed Sunderland under Florent Ghisolfi made a significant approach for Víctor Muñoz during the January transfer window - but insists the Spanish side refused to entertain negotiations.
Sunderland were heavily linked with the 22-year-old winger late in the winter window, with reports in Spain suggesting the Black Cats submitted multiple offers in an attempt to prise him away from CA Osasuna. It has now been claimed Sunderland tabled an initial bid worth around £17million before returning with an improved proposal in the region of £21million. Despite the escalating offers - and suggestions that players could be discussed as part of the structure - Osasuna stood firm.
Sporting director Braulio Vázquez has revealed the La Liga club refused to engage in talks, pointing to the release clause in Muñoz’s contract as their only reference point. “We didn’t even listen to them; we stuck to the clause,” he said. “It’s also true, and I want to emphasize this, that he’s very grateful to the club. We brought him in from the Primera RFEF (Real Madrid First Division), where he’d only played 40 minutes in La Liga, and we paid €5million. I told him he was going to experience personal and professional growth because it was the right environment, and he’s very grateful. As of today, we’re not considering him leaving, and neither is he.”
Osasuna are understood to value Muñoz at £34million - the figure written into his current deal - in part because they would be required to pass on 50 per cent of any future sale to Real Madrid. Sunderland’s interest underlines their ambition to add further attacking quality during the January window, though the deal ultimately proved beyond reach midway through the campaign. The Black Cats were not alone in tracking the winger. Tottenham Hotspur were also credited with interest earlier in the window, highlighting the growing Premier League attention surrounding Muñoz’s performances in Spain.
Reinildo Mandava previews FA Cup clash at Oxford United
Sunderland defender Reinildo Mandava has underlined the importance of the FA Cup ahead of the Black Cats’ fourth-round trip to Oxford United on Sunday.
The competition carries deep significance on Wearside. Sunderland have not lifted the trophy since their famous 1973 triumph, though they reached the final in 1992 and the semi-final in 2004. It remains a tournament that stirs genuine emotion among supporters.
Mandava made clear he fully appreciates that history and the scale of the challenge awaiting Le Bris’ side. “Since I was a kid I watched too much Premier League. FA Cup also. I know it’s a big competition so we will give everything. It’s a tough pitch to play there in Oxford. It will be an intense game. But we are ready to fight, just like every day.”
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The Mozambican also revealed that Régis Le Bris has already addressed the squad about the significance of the tie, particularly given Sunderland’s defeat at the same venue last season. “The manager talked and explained to us how important this cup is for us and the club. We know it will be a hard, hard game, but we will take all of our guns to go there and fight.
“Last season we lost there against them. So we have another opportunity to go and show different things and play to win. That’s why we are working every day, we are working to win [the cup]. That’s why I’m telling you that we go there to give everything because we know the importance of this cup for the team and we’ll keep going and fighting until the end.”
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