Liverpool Complete First Signing Under Iraola with Munoz Deal
Liverpool have activated Victor Munoz's £34.5 million release clause to secure the Osasuna winger as the first signing of Andoni Iraola's managerial reign. The club moved swiftly to beat Newcastle United to the Spanish player's signature.
The 22-year-old will sign a six-year contract after completing a medical examination on Wednesday in Atlanta, where he is currently part of the Spain squad at the World Cup. Liverpool had been monitoring Munoz's development for some time before accelerating their interest following Iraola's appointment.
The new head coach was particularly keen to bring in his fellow Spaniard, having spent most of his playing career at Athletic Bilbao and maintaining close connections with La Liga. Manchester United and Bayer Leverkusen also expressed interest in the winger, while Barcelona and Real Madrid had shortlisted him during their own recruitment processes before deciding to pursue alternative targets.
Munoz's versatility will be a key asset for Liverpool moving forward. The winger can operate on either flank or as a central striker, providing Iraola with tactical flexibility as the club enters a new era. His pace is considered one of his primary strengths, aligning with Liverpool's transfer strategy this summer to recruit players with significant speed.
The young player has already earned two caps for Spain, scoring in his debut against Serbia in March. He was an unused substitute in Spain's subsequent match against Cape Verde before joining Liverpool's setup.
The signing will not influence the future of Federico Chiesa at the club. The Italian winger was used sparingly under previous manager Arne Slot but could be better suited to Iraola's tactical approach. Chiesa remains eager to secure regular first-team football and is open to departing if opportunities remain limited.
Meanwhile, Liverpool have confirmed the departure of defender Ibrahima Konate to Real Madrid. The centre-back will join on a four-year contract when his current Liverpool deal expires at the end of June. Real Madrid have also strengthened their squad significantly this summer, having appointed Jose Mourinho as head coach and subsequently recruiting Marc Cucurella and Bernardo Silva.
The Munoz transfer represents a statement of intent from Liverpool under their new management, with the club willing to invest significantly in attacking talent. At 22 years old, he represents both immediate quality and long-term potential as Iraola begins reshaping the squad to compete across the Premier League and European competitions.