Liverpool trigger Munoz's £34.6m release clause to beat Newcastle to the winger

Liverpool have officially completed the signing of Spain international winger Victor Munoz by triggering his £34.6 million release clause at Osasuna in La Liga. According to BBC Sport, Liverpool's final decision in a weeks-long contest with Newcastle United was driven by the club's view of Munoz as a priority right-wing upgrade.

Munoz, 24 and 1.82 metres tall, is a naturally right-footed right winger. A product of Osasuna's academy in Pamplona, he stood out last season with 11 goals and 8 assists in 33 La Liga appearances. He received his first senior Spain call-up last autumn and has six caps to date.

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot told the BBC: "Victor will bring pace, depth and the ability to win space in the half-spaces." Slot stressed that Munoz would not be considered just a backup to current right winger Mohamed Salah but a rotation option; with Salah's age in mind, that rotation has become increasingly important.

Negotiations took about six weeks. Newcastle United had been the early favourites thanks to the wage advantage of Champions League salary participation and an initial offer of £220,000 a week. Liverpool stepped in with a five-year contract worth £240,000 a week plus performance bonuses. According to Sport.es, Munoz also weighed Liverpool's Champions League quarter-final reach.

On the fee, the £34.6 million figure was the formal clause in the contract extension Munoz signed with Osasuna in summer 2024. Liverpool chose to pay the full package upfront in cash rather than match Newcastle's £33 million staged proposal. Osasuna president Luis Sabalza said the move was "positive for club finances and a deserved step for the player".

Munoz's arrival at Liverpool will offer Slot a rotation option for Salah in his 4-2-3-1 system. Last season, Slot played Salah in 41 league matches; that heavy programme contributed to a late-season drop in performance. Munoz is expected to deliver around 2,000 minutes in the physical pace of the Premier League.

The transfer is Liverpool's fourth major summer move. The club previously added midfielder Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad for €60 million, right-back Jeremie Frimpong from Bayer Leverkusen for €35 million and left-back Nuno Mendes from Sporting Lisbon for €50 million. Total summer spending has now passed €180 million.

For Newcastle United, missing out on Munoz is the second major summer setback. The club had earlier lost out to Manchester City in talks with Bayer Leverkusen for Florian Wirtz and had to defer its midfield upgrade. Newcastle manager Eddie Howe told the BBC: "The market is more competitive; our alternative plans are in motion."

For Osasuna, Munoz's departure is a mix of loss and opportunity. His physical development and international status had required an active rather than passive transfer planning strategy at the club since the summer of 2024. Osasuna are reported to have replaced him with young midfielder Aimar Oroz from Real Sociedad B for €8 million.

Liverpool's summer moves are seen as a strategy of depth in Slot's second full season. Last season the club finished third in the Premier League and reached the Champions League semi-final. Slot has framed the new season's league target as "a team in the title race that is still in contention in the closing weeks". Munoz's Premier League debut is expected to come away to Bournemouth on August 16.