Liverpool sign Victor Munoz for £34.5m, pipping Newcastle to Iraola's first transfer

Liverpool have signed Victor Munoz from Osasuna for £34.5m after triggering the winger’s release clause, with the 22-year-old Spain international set to become Andoni Iraola’s first signing at the club, subject to a work permit and international clearance. The deal, with the fee split across two instalments, follows Munoz passing a medical in Tennessee, where he is currently on international duty with Spain ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

The move represents a significant coup for Liverpool, who accelerated their interest after Newcastle United had already made the first approach to sign Munoz — mirroring last summer’s transfer of Hugo Ekitike, when Liverpool also moved in to take a Magpies target. Manchester United, Bayer Leverkusen, Real Madrid, and Barcelona had all registered interest in the player before Liverpool completed the deal.

New head coach Iraola was a driving force behind the pursuit, keen to bring in a player he knows well from La Liga. Liverpool view Munoz as a versatile forward capable of covering the right wing — the position Salah occupied for the majority of his nine years at the club — as well as the left flank and centre-forward. The club are confident his flexibility will not impact the playing time of academy prospect Rio Ngumoha.

Munoz scored seven goals for Osasuna last season and is expected to sign a six-year contract at Anfield. He is likely to be the first of two forward additions this summer, with Liverpool also monitoring RB Leipzig’s Yan Diomande, though a deal is complicated by Leipzig’s high asking price and competition from Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain.

Munoz came through Real Madrid’s academy before joining Osasuna, but was reluctant to return to the Bernabeu this summer over concerns about first-team opportunities. Real Madrid held a matching-rights option that effectively blocked a move to Barcelona, who instead signed Anthony Gordon from Newcastle — the same club Liverpool have now beaten to Munoz.

With Hugo Ekitike set to miss the start of the season due to an Achilles injury, Munoz’s arrival gives Iraola immediate cover at centre-forward as well as across the wider attacking positions. Federico Chiesa, who has attracted interest from clubs in Italy, could depart as Liverpool reshape their forward line following Salah’s exit.