Osasuna chief confirms Sunderland bids as Florent Ghisolfi’s £21m push for Víctor Muñoz rebuffed | OneFootball

Sunderland Echo reports that Osasuna sporting director Braulio Vázquez confirmed Sunderland, under Florent Ghisolfi, made a major January bid for Víctor Muñoz, but the La Liga club refused to enter talks.

The Black Cats were heavily linked late in the window. They are understood to have offered about £17million, then returned with roughly £21million, with player options discussed, yet Osasuna held firm.

Vázquez said Osasuna would refer only to the release clause and did not open negotiations. He highlighted Muñoz’s gratitude after joining from the Primera RFEF for €5million, adding: "As of today, we’re not considering him leaving, and neither is he."

Muñoz is valued at £34million, the clause in his deal, in part because Real Madrid are due 50 per cent of any future sale. Tottenham Hotspur also tracked the 22-year-old earlier in the window.

Separately, Reinildo Mandava underlined the FA Cup’s importance before Sunday’s fourth-round trip to Oxford United. "I know it’s a big competition so we will give everything. It will be an intense game. But we are ready to fight, just like every day."

The competition resonates on Wearside, with Sunderland’s last triumph in 1973, a final in 1992 and a semi-final in 2004. Mandava noted they lost at Oxford last season and said they aim to show different things and play to win.

Source: Sunderland Echo