Munoz signing puts Gakpo's Liverpool future in serious doubt under Iraola

Liverpool are closing in on the £34.6m signing of Osasuna winger Victor Munoz, with the 22-year-old having already completed his medical while on World Cup 2026 duty and set to sign a six-year deal at Anfield. The move marks one of the first major transfer decisions of the Andoni Iraola era, with the new head coach’s appointment only confirmed earlier this month.

Munoz’s arrival, however, casts a shadow over Cody Gakpo’s future on Merseyside. The Dutch international, who only signed a contract extension less than a year ago, endured a difficult 2025/26 campaign, managing just seven Premier League goals. Having previously shared left-wing duties with Luis Diaz, Gakpo became first-choice in that position following the Colombian’s departure — but struggled to fill the role convincingly, leaving supporters frustrated by his performances.

With Munoz capable of operating across the forward line, his versatility directly threatens Gakpo’s starting berth. Liverpool could command a substantial fee for the 27-year-old, who remains a marketable asset despite his recent dip in form, and a summer exit is now a genuine possibility.

Also factoring into the equation is 17-year-old Rio Ngumoha, who enjoyed a breakthrough season of considerable note — earning his England debut and attracting interest from Bayern Munich before Liverpool firmly shut down any talk of a sale. Munoz’s signing is seen in part as providing the teenager with credible competition without blocking his development path, given the two share similar attributes: blistering pace and a directness in taking on defenders.

Iraola’s high-pressing, intensity-driven style of play is expected to suit Munoz’s profile well. The Spain international arrives as a player the new manager knows and, by all accounts, specifically targeted — a signal that Iraola intends to reshape the squad in his own image from the outset.

How Gakpo responds to the challenge, or whether he seeks a move elsewhere, will be one of the defining subplot of Liverpool’s summer.