Liverpool fans were treated to their first signing of the summer transfer window on Thursday as Victor Munoz arrived from Osasuna.
Publicly, things moved incredibly quickly for the 22-year-old, with the Reds’ interest not even emerging until they triggered his £34m release clause on Thursday morning. By the evening, his capture had been officially announced.
Privately, though, The Athletic claim that Liverpool had quietly been working hard to beat the likes of Newcastle, Man United and Bayer Leverkusen to Munoz, with Andoni Iraola revealed to have played a key role in swaying his countryman towards Anfield.
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Iraola phone call convinced Munoz to join Liverpool
Liverpool had been targeting new wingers long before Iraola was announced as Arne Slot’s replacement on June 4th.
It is claimed that Munoz was one of these, featuring on a shortlist drawn up by the Reds’ recruitment team during the season, with a scout tasked with making contact with his agency in ‘early 2026.’
Interestingly, Liverpool may reportedly have tried to sign the Spain international even if Slot had stayed on as head coach.
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Nevertheless, it is only when Iraola joined that the pursuit is said to have been stepped up, with the new boss discussing Munoz with Richard Hughes in a ‘squad planning’ meeting immediately after his appointment.
Naturally, Iraola is claimed to have an ‘extensive knowledge’ of La Liga, and he reportedly told Hughes of his belief that Munoz would fit perfectly into his vision of Liverpool as an aggressive, front-footed team.
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After the Reds furthered their efforts to sign him, Iraola is then said to have called Munoz personally, presenting his plan for the youngster in what is described as ‘great detail.’ The pair are claimed to have spoken ‘a number of times’ since their initial conversation.
Sources at Osasuna are cited as being of the belief that the talks with Iraola ‘changed everything’ for Munoz.
Though the Spanish club were already in negotiations with Newcastle – who were reportedly trying to negotiate a lower fee to avoid paying Munoz’s release clause in one sitting – and the winger had looked likely to join the Magpies, speaking with Iraola is claimed to have set his heart on a move to Liverpool.
Fast, direct and somewhat raw, Iraola will now get the chance to shape Munoz into the player he clearly believes he can become at Liverpool.
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