Barcelona’s pursuit of Liverpool-bound winger was thwarted by Real Madrid | OneFootball

Barcelona were interested in signing Victor Munoz this summer, but Real Madrid would not allow a move to happen, leaving the winger on course for Liverpool instead.

According to The Athletic, Barça wanted Munoz during the summer window, only for Real Madrid to block the possibility of their former player ending up at the Camp Nou.

Liverpool have now moved for the 22-year-old, hijacking Newcastle United’s deal after activating his €40 million release clause at Osasuna.

Munoz’s story so far has been quite fascinating. He is not just another forward.

He came through La Masia earlier in his development, later passed through Real Madrid, and has now become one of the most interesting Spanish attackers on the market.

Real Madrid had no reason to help Barça

BARCELONA, SPAIN – MARCH 31: Victor Munoz of Spain looks on during an international friendly match between Spain and Egypt at RCDE Stadium on March 31, 2026 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

The Real Madrid angle is obvious. They retained part of his ownership when they sold him to Osasuna last summer.

This has also enabled them to receive a significant chunk of money from Liverpool. Los Blancos were never likely to make life easy for Barcelona in their pursuit of the 22-year-old winger.

If they could benefit financially from a Premier League move while preventing Barça from getting a player they liked, the logic from their side was simple.

For Barça, the frustration is that Munoz fits several needs. He is quick, direct, can play across the frontline and has already broken into the Spain picture. Liverpool saw the same upside and moved fast.

A missed market opportunity

Barcelona cannot win every race. Still, this is the kind of profile Deco and Hansi Flick should be studying closely: young, Spanish, explosive and already tested in La Liga.

Barcelona wanted Munoz. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)

The problem is not only missing out on Munoz. The problem is that Barça continue to operate in a market where such profiles are extremely difficult to find.

Newcastle were close, Liverpool jumped in, and Real Madrid had enough leverage to stop the Camp Nou route.

Munoz is extremely talented, and it would come as a surprise to no one if he went on to explode at Anfield under new manager Andoni Iraola.

Although Barça may regret this one in the future, there was no realistic chance of them signing him this summer. It remains to be seen how the Spaniard’s time in England pans out.