Sunderland have been linked with CA Osasuna star Victor Muñoz in recent weeks
Sunderland target Victor Muñoz’s future will “depend on the player’s own wishes”, according to CA Osasuna director Braulio Vázquez.
Earlier this month, it was suggested that the Black Cats made a series of approaches to Osasuna in an effort to sign Muñoz during the January transfer window, only for their bids to be soundly rejected by the La Liga outfit. It is understood that an initial offer of £17 million was knocked back, as was an improved package worth around £21 million.
Instead, the Spanish side are said to value Muñoz at £34 million - the release clause written into his current contract - and are unwilling to compromise on that figure because they will have to pay his boyhood team Real Madrid 50% of any fee they receive for the winger when they do eventually come to sell him.
In the wake of Sunderland’s apparent interest in his player, Vázquez gave an interview to Spanish media explaining: “We didn’t even listen to them [Sunderland’s bids]; we stuck to the clause. It’s also true, and I want to emphasise 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.”
Subsequent reports have also suggested that, while they retain a buy-back option for Muñoz, Real Madrid have decided against making a return for the promising attacker in the immediate future.
What is the latest on Victor Muñoz’s situation amid Sunderland transfer links?
But while Vázquez has made it clear that he wishes to keep Muñoz at Osasuna for a while to come - and that the player himself is happy in Spain - the club chief has admitted that moving forward, a lot will hinge on the 22-year-old’s personal ambitions.
In a fresh interview with DAZN, as relayed by Marca, he said: “It depends on the player’s own wishes. He has had some opportunities, but at no point did he consider leaving because, as I said and as he himself has pointed out, he is in the right environment to continue growing.”
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Who is Sunderland-linked winger Victor Muñoz?
Born in Barcelona in 2003, Muñoz, who predominantly operates on the left flank, is a product of Real Madrid’s celebrated academy system, signing for Osasuna from the Spanish giants last summer. Since then, he has caught the eye, registering five goals and four assist in 27 outings across all competitions. At the time of writing, he is under contract with Osasuna until 2030.
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