Víctor Muñoz Nears Liverpool Transfer as Osasuna Faces Uncertainty

Víctor Muñoz, the emerging winger from Osasuna, is on the verge of completing a transfer to Liverpool after reaching a verbal agreement with the English club. According to transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano, Liverpool has essentially secured the deal by agreeing to pay Muñoz's 40 million euro release clause, surpassing interest from Newcastle United and other European clubs. The announcement came early on Wednesday morning Spanish time, causing significant upheaval among the Osasuna fanbase. The transfer would represent a major summer move for the Spanish club, just a year after Muñoz's arrival at El Sadar.

Muñoz's rise has been remarkably swift. In just 40 elite-level matches, the young attacker has attracted the attention of multiple European giants. The timing of the announcement during the World Cup tournament has added to the sense of urgency, as recent precedent has normalized player transfers being finalized during major competitions. Officials from both clubs could potentially announce the move's completion within days, possibly even before Spain's upcoming match against Saudi Arabia.

In contrasting fortunes, Ante Budimir, Osasuna's Croatian striker, faced limited opportunities in his World Cup debut. Despite initial expectations that manager Zlatko Dalić might deploy Budimir as the primary offensive reference, the Croatian coach opted for Musa to lead the attack against England. As the match progressed and Croatia fell behind following Jude Bellingham's goal in the second half, Budimir remained on the bench through multiple substitution windows, watching as other attacking options like Vlasic and Kramaric entered the field. Croatia's 4-2 defeat left Budimir without a single minute of playing time in the competition.

Budimir now faces a crucial opportunity to make an impact when Croatia faces Panama on Wednesday, a match that will be vital for both the team's tournament aspirations and his own chances of gaining playing time. At nearly 35 years old, the striker continues to attract interest from clubs despite his age, underscoring his continued relevance at the highest level.