Newcastle United are accelerating their pursuit of Osasuna winger Victor Munoz, hoping to secure a deal before his potential performances at the World Cup increase his value and attract further interest from rival clubs. The Magpies are seeking a replacement for Anthony Gordon, who recently transferred to Barcelona, and have identified the Spain international as their primary target.
Munoz currently has a release clause of €40 million (£34.6m) in his contract with Osasuna, but Newcastle are reportedly attempting to negotiate a lower fee. According to The Athletic, Real Madrid possess a buyback clause for the player, however Newcastle do not anticipate the Spanish giants will activate it. The urgency stems from concerns that a strong showing for Spain at the World Cup will significantly elevate Munoz’s profile and invite bids from other prominent European clubs.
The 23-year-old has earned two caps for Spain, and was an unused substitute in their opening World Cup match against Cape Verde. He has established himself as a key player for Osasuna, contributing consistently in La Liga. Newcastle sporting director Ross Wilson is leading the effort to bring Munoz to St James’ Park.
Despite interest from other Premier League clubs, including Manchester United and Liverpool, Munoz is reportedly favouring a move to Newcastle. Sources indicate that the prospect of joining Newcastle has always been his preferred option, and he has already turned down approaches from the aforementioned clubs. This preference could prove crucial in securing the deal, even if Munoz impresses during the World Cup. Newcastle are keen to finalize the transfer swiftly to mitigate the risk of increased competition for his signature.
The quick resolution to this transfer would provide Eddie Howe with a direct replacement for Gordon and add further attacking depth to the Newcastle squad. Securing Munoz now could also be seen as a shrewd piece of business, potentially avoiding a bidding war should he perform well on the world stage.
