Who is Victor Munoz? Liverpool trigger €40m clause for Spain starlet quicker than Mbappe | OneFootball

Liverpool have hijacked Newcastle United's move to sign Osasuna winger Victor Munoz, in a transfer that has come from nowhere.

Andoni Iraola has signed off on the signing of his compatriot as his first recruit, with Munoz set to undergo a medical and sign a six-year deal.

Newcastle had looked set to sign Munoz, but interest from Anfield has scuppered those hopes.Liverpool have activated the €40m (£34m) release clause in the winger's contract to win the race.

But who is Victor Munoz? And what has placed him in such high demand?

The Barcelona-born winger spent time in the youth systems of Sant Gabriel, Barcelona and Damm, before heading to the capital to sign for Real Madrid as a teenager. Munoz made only four senior appearances for the Spanish giants before joining Osasuna last summer for an initial €5m, a transfer that transformed his fortunes.

In his first season, Munoz made a major impression. He scored seven times and provided five assists across all competitions and was namedLa Liga U23 Player of the Month in February and March.

That latter month also saw Munoz make his senior debut for Spain, marking the occasion with a goal against Serbia. His impression on Luis de la Fuente earned him selection with La Roja for this summer's World Cup in North America.

A diminutive, direct, wide player, Munoz ranked in the top three wingers in La Liga for accelerations, shot frequency, and ball-carrying frequency. He ranked in the top 11% of wingers across Europe for successful dribbles and progressive carries.

Last season, his 12 dribbles completed against Rayo Vallecano was a leading figure across Europe's top five leagues in a single game. According toOpta, he became the first under-23 player to complete 12+ dribbles in a La Liga game since Ousmane Dembele in 2019.

Victor Munoz to Liverpool - La Liga's fourth most prolific dribbler and third-quickest player

Dribbling is Munoz's true weapon and only Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior and Lamine Yamal completed more in La Liga last season.

He also clocked the joint-third fastest speed in La Liga last season, recording a higher top speed than either Mbappe or Yamal. Liverpool lacked pace in the final third last season and Munoz will change that.

However, his versatility will also appeal to Iraola. A right-footed winger with a preference for the left, Munoz made several appearances from the right and as a second striker last season.

With Mohamed Salah set to leave Liverpool this summer and Hugo Ekitike out until January with an Achilles injury, Munoz will add welcome depth to the club's forward line.

Munoz does not arrived as the finished article, but a coming-of-age campaign at Osasuna has put him in the spotlight. Liverpool will hope to hone his rawness and turn Munoz into a complete package.