Liverpool are set to sign Spain winger Victor Muñoz from Osasuna after triggering his release clause, beating Newcastle United to a Premier League transfer target as Andoni Iraola begins reshaping his squad.
The Guardian and The Times reported that Liverpool moved by activating a £34.5 million clause in Muñoz's Osasuna contract. The Times said the 22-year-old is expected to sign a six-year deal through 2032 after a medical in the United States, where he is with Spain's World Cup squad.
Liverpool Move Before Newcastle Finish Deal
Newcastle had been strongly linked with Muñoz, and The Times reported that the club viewed him as a possible replacement for Anthony Gordon after Gordon's move to Barcelona. Liverpool's late acceleration turned the deal toward Anfield.
The Times also reported that Iraola personally pushed Liverpool to move quickly, using his knowledge of the Osasuna winger during early discussions with sporting director Richard Hughes. If completed as reported, Muñoz would become the first signing of Iraola's Liverpool tenure.
The wording still matters. No official Liverpool or Osasuna announcement was available during the fast verification window, so this is a reported agreement rather than a club-confirmed unveiling. But the reporting is consistent on the central point: Liverpool triggered the clause and have positioned Muñoz for a long-term contract.
Clause Sends Money To Osasuna And Real Madrid
Cadena SER reported the fee as €40 million, with half going to Osasuna and half to Real Madrid because Madrid retained 50 percent of Muñoz's rights when he moved to El Sadar. SER's Navarra outlet said the sale would be the largest in Osasuna's history if confirmed on those terms.
That structure explains why a release clause could move the deal quickly. Newcastle's offer, according to SER's Navarra report, had been closer to €35 million and short of the full clause. Liverpool's route was cleaner: pay the clause, finish the medical and settle the player's contract.
There was also Real Madrid context. The Times reported that Madrid considered bringing Muñoz back, but the player was concerned about his development stalling there. SER had reported earlier this month that Madrid viewed the operation more as an economic opportunity than a sporting plan for next season.
What Muñoz Adds To Liverpool
Muñoz's profile fits the transfer-window logic around Liverpool. The Times described him as a front-line player who can operate off the left, on the opposite flank or as a centre forward. That versatility matters for a squad trying to add pace and carry threat across the attack.
Cadena SER reported that Muñoz played 34 La Liga matches for Osasuna in 2025-26, scoring six goals and adding six assists. The same outlet noted that he had been managing an injury while with Spain, though he had passed Liverpool's medical checks.
For Liverpool, this is a young-player bet rather than a ceremonial superstar signing. Muñoz has one top-flight breakout season at Osasuna, a Spain call-up and enough market heat to draw Newcastle and Madrid into the conversation. Triggering the clause keeps the deal out of a prolonged auction, which is usually the least glamorous and most useful part of transfer business.