Liverpool have given fans something to look forward to with the news that Victor Muñoz is set to become their first signing of the Andoni Iraola era.
The Reds will trigger a €40m (about £34.6m) release clause in Osasuna’s contract, meaning the 22-year-old will pen a six-year deal at Anfield. They have worked hard to win against their rivals, an exciting winger who is currently representing Spain at the World Cup.
The deal marks the culmination of Muñoz’s rapid rise to prominence during the 2025/26 season. He only joined Osasuna from Real Madrid last July for €5 million and, like fellow Liverpool transfer target Yann Diomande, it took just one season for him to impress the scout teams of Europe’s top clubs.
So how did Munoz do it? And what can Liverpool fans expect from their new signing? Mirror Football finds out more about this youngster.
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reds win the race
With Muñoz’s eye-catching performances, international breakthrough and relatively low release fee, Liverpool were not the only club interested. The Liverpool Echo reports that Newcastle, Bayer Leverkusen, Manchester United and Real Madrid were sniffing around, but Liverpool acted quickly to seal the deal.
Sporting director Richard Hughes and Fenway Sports Group chief executive of football Michael Edwards were behind the scenes, but Iraola also played a key role. The Spaniard is renowned for developing young players and his compatriot appears to be a good fit.
Liverpool sent a delegation to Atalanta, Spain’s home base for the World Cup, and Muñoz completed a medical on Wednesday. Newcastle were in talks to sign Munoz last week and may be particularly frustrated after signing Hugo Ekitike from Liverpool last summer.
Victor Muñoz has completed a medical check while playing for Spain at the World Cup (Image: Ulrik Pedersen/Getty Images)
Fast and versatile
What Liverpool are signing is a very exciting, versatile, classic winger. Munoz is only 5 feet 8 inches tall, but he is fast, direct, and not afraid to go one-on-one with his markers.
He is right-footed and has usually played on the left wing for Osasuna, but is comfortable with either foot and can drive from deep to provoke counter-attacks. “I feel comfortable in every position,” he said recently. “Certainly, I feel comfortable playing close to the striker, dropping deep to receive the ball and playing the ball up.”
Munoz’s pace is his most obvious strength. He recorded a speed of 35 km/h (21 mph) during the 2025/26 season, making him one of the fastest players in La Liga. “It’s a quality that I’ve always had since I was little, but it’s true that I work on it more specifically as time goes on,” he said of his speed.
Liverpool did not replace Luis Diaz when he left for Bayern Munich last summer, with Rio Ngumoja the closest thing to remaining in the team after the Colombian’s departure. Munoz can play on the right wing, but he is not a replacement for Mohamed Salah. Instead, he could be replaced by Diaz a year after he leaves office. RB Leipzig’s acquisition of Diomande, who is playing for Ivory Coast at the World Cup, is under discussion for a transfer fee of 100 million euros (approximately £86.5 million).
Victor Munoz is direct and fast (Image: Cesar Ortiz Gonzalez/Getty Images)
“That’s very humbling.”
Muñoz played 36 games for Osasuna in the 2025/26 season, scoring seven goals and providing five assists. Muñoz, who decided to leave Real Madrid after just four first-team appearances, came into the limelight at Osasuna and blossomed despite the team’s struggles.
Osasuna’s manager was sacked at the end of this season, and they finished 17th on goal difference, just avoiding relegation from La Liga. But it was the perfect environment for Muñoz, and he was given greater responsibility than his rise to the top of the division.
After spending time in Barcelona’s famous La Masia youth organization, he joined Real Madrid, giving him a taste of football with two Spanish giants. However, he did not need their platform to earn an international call-up, as coach Luis de la Fuente named him for the first time in March.
Victor Muñoz scores on his debut for Spain (Image: Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
Munoz scored on his debut against Serbia in a 3-0 win and clearly impressed his manager on and off the pitch. “He’s very humble,” de la Fuente said. “Another person has joined the movement, and I ask him to continue this work, because that is the best way to grow.”
His attitude is illustrated by the fact that he played through discomfort to keep Osasuna in La Liga. Muñoz has been selected for Spain’s World Cup squad and although he may struggle to get game time, he is training alongside the likes of Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal and Athletic Club’s Nico Williams. Once the tournament is over, he will be looking forward to his performance at Liverpool.
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