Richard Hughes' Andoni Iraola call vindicated after €40m forward deal confirmed

Liverpool were active early in the summer transfer market - agreeing a €40m package with Osasuna for Victor Munoz.

The 22-year-old was a hit throughout his one season with Osasuna following a low-key transfer from Real Madrid in summer 2025.

Now the Spain international is set for bigger and better things after Liverpool pounced for a deal ahead of Newcastle. The Toon assumed a deal was close for Munoz before the outgoing Premier League champions upped their interest and swooped in.

A medical was quickly arranged at Spain’s FIFA World Cup training base - with Munoz inking a six-year deal at Anfield. The deal took a leap forward once Andoni Iraola got involved.

Iraola helped Liverpool land Munoz

Announced in early June as the replacement for Arne Slot the Spaniard played a significant role in onboarding his compatriot Munoz.

The wide man has lifted the lid on talks with the Basque tactico - who set out a convincing vision of the future to attract Munoz to Merseyside.

“It's an opportunity you can't pass up,” he is reported to have said in an interview with EFE according to Cadena Ser.

"He instilled confidence in me, showed me how his team plays... he played an important role in my decision."

Munoz struggling with injury at World Cup

Munoz passed his medical before later suffering a setback in his recovery from a muscle injury that affected the end of his LaLiga season.

The player remains with the Spain squad for the World Cup but isn’t expected to play in the third group stage match against Uruguay this weekend.

"We were managing it (the injury), but I felt some discomfort, and we're trying to get back on the field as soon as possible," he said.

"These have been very difficult moments because this is my childhood dream, and seeing it all fall apart because of an injury is incredibly frustrating."

Victor Munoz is dreaming of World Cup debut

Munoz is back on the grass with his teammates and has been spotted in conversation with Spain’s national team psychologist Javier Lopez Vallejo around the camp.

"I have talks with Javi both here and away,” Munoz revealed.

“He helps me a lot, he helps me see another perspective on everything that happens here. It's a pleasure to have him."

Spain are looking good for a deep run at the World Cup in North America. And although Munoz has yet to set foot on the field he is ready for action once the knockout rounds commence.

"It's all I think about,” he said. “It's a dream, and I want to be back on the field as soon as possible."

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