Liverpool Trigger £34.5M Release Clause To Land Munoz

Liverpool have won the race for one of Spain’s brightest attacking talents, triggering Victor Munoz’s €40 million (£34.5m) release clause to snatch the winger from Newcastle’s grasp.

The 22-year-old, currently starring for Spain at the World Cup, completed his medical on Wednesday with Liverpool staff flown Stateside to finalise the deal. A six-year contract awaits the former Barcelona and Real Madrid academy graduate, with the fee to be paid in two installments.

For Newcastle, it’s a painful case of déjà vu. Just last summer, the Magpies watched Hugo Ekitike choose Anfield over St. James’ Park before Alexander Isak followed suit. Now, Munoz becomes the latest talent to slip through their fingers—despite advanced talks following Anthony Gordon’s £69m+ departure to Barcelona.

The Spaniard’s numbers last season—seven goals and five assists in 36 outings—may not leap off the page, but La Liga expert Phil Minshull has no doubts about his ceiling, branding Munoz “one of the pearls of Spanish football” with a work-rate that spans both boxes.

The appointment of Andoni Iraola as Arne Slot’s successor proved decisive. The new Liverpool boss, armed with intimate knowledge of Spanish football, pushed hard for Munoz’s signature, believing his pace and ability to unlock stubborn defenses make him the ideal addition to a frontline losing Mohamed Salah this summer.

Munoz’s journey to Merseyside has been anything but straightforward. A product of Barcelona’s famed La Masia, he crossed the great divide to join Real Madrid, where he made two fleeting substitute appearances under Jose Mourinho. But with regular minutes uncertain at the Bernabéu, he departed for Osasuna in July 2025 for just €5m—a fee that now looks like a steal.

Real Madrid, who retained a 50% sell-on clause and matching rights, briefly considered bringing him back. Sources suggest concerns over playing time under Mourinho ultimately cooled their interest, while Barcelona also explored a move before committing to Gordon.

Liverpool’s summer business is far from over. The club retains a strong interest in RB Leipzig’s Yan Diomande, the 19-year-old Ivorian forward currently impressing at the World Cup—though PSG are also circling.

Meanwhile, Federico Chiesa’s future at Anfield appears uncertain. The Italian forward, who managed just one Premier League start last season, is attracting interest from Serie A clubs and is believed to be keen on regular first-team football elsewhere.