Newcastle United have made a formal €30 million bid for Osasuna winger Victor Munoz, as Eddie Howe seeks a replacement for Anthony Gordon who recently completed an €80 million move to Barcelona. Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano reports a high degree of confidence that the deal will be completed, noting that Munoz recently changed agencies in preparation for a potential transfer.
Gordon’s departure to Barcelona came swiftly, with the Catalan club moving decisively to secure the 25-year-old despite interest from other Premier League sides. Howe has responded by targeting Munoz, who has impressed in La Liga this season, and the player is believed to be keen on a move to St James’ Park. Newcastle’s offer currently stands at over €30 million guaranteed for Osasuna.
The potential transfer is complicated by Real Madrid’s involvement, as they hold both a buy-back clause and a 50 percent sell-on clause for Munoz. However, Romano suggests that Real Madrid are unlikely to activate the buy-back, instead anticipating a profit of approximately €16-17 million from the sale. This windfall would aid Jose Mourinho in his squad rebuild.
Newcastle had also considered a move for Ez Abde, but a pre-World Cup injury to the Real Betis winger has reportedly jeopardized that deal, a setback for Barcelona who would have benefitted from a 20 percent sell-on fee. Real Madrid’s decision to allow Newcastle to pursue Munoz is not believed to be a reflection of the player’s quality, but rather a strategic financial decision.
Mourinho is prioritizing strengthening multiple areas of the Real Madrid squad, including defense and midfield, and the funds from Munoz’s sale will be valuable. While a €150 million offer was previously made for Julian Alvarez, that deal is currently on hold. The expected funds from the Munoz sale will contribute to the overall transfer budget, allowing for further investment in key positions. Munoz’s arrival at Newcastle would provide Howe with a dynamic winger, while Real Madrid benefit financially without disrupting their existing attacking options, which include Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappe.
