Both Barcelona and Real Madrid’s academy product, who has developed into one of La Liga’s most exciting young wingers has become the subject of interest for both of Spain's dominant forces. This summer that interest could develop into a full-blown bidding war.
Victor Munoz, 22, is having a brilliant inaugural season in La Liga for Osasuna. His stats of five goals and two assists in 31 appearances might not look eye-catching on the surface, but there's more to it than just goals. His performances this season, shows he’s a player capable of delivering at the highest level.
These are excellent numbers for any player in their first full season in the top division, especially in a side like Osasuna who are not built for routine, easy games or opportunities.
The dancing feet
It is in his dribbling where Munoz really shines. The 22-year-old has successfully completed 609 dribbles from 734 attempts this season, putting him in the top 100 in the league for the stat, 33rd for progressive dribbles.
In 1v1 situations, he is fast and direct and can really be devastating when given the ball in spaces behind the opposition defence. His outstanding season has already seen him earn his first Spain cap, scoring in a 3-0 friendly win against Serbia in March. An appearance in a World Cup surely can’t be far off.
La Masia or La Fabricia?
There is another twist to this tale, though: Munoz played his youth football at Barcelona's La Masia between 2014 and 2017 before ending up at Real Madrid's academy.
Real Madrid then sold the 22-year-old to Osasuna for €5 million this summer with a buy-back clause written into the deal, of €8 million, which is well below his market value of around €20 million. This clause will make it very difficult for other clubs to outbid Madrid.
While it is rare for Real Madrid to re-sign a player just one season after selling them. Munoz has quickly proved he is an exception to this rule.
Barcelona's Sporting Director Deco is watching him with interest along with few others, and sources close to the player state that Camp Nou might be able to offer him something that Madrid cannot: a realistic pathway into their first team. He would also be re-joining a familiar set of faces in the form of Balde and Lamine Yamal.
Where does he eventually end up
For Barcelona, Munoz is the type of player they are after following their difficult pursuit of Rashford. Munoz is a player who has had a good debut season at a La Liga club but still has plenty of room for development.
However, the buy-back clause belongs to Real Madrid, and that is the complication. If Madrid invoke it, there is nothing Barcelona can do to outbid their offer.
This could become clearer over the next few weeks as we learn more about Munoz's ambitions, Real's intention, and whether they activate their buy-back option.
However, the window of opportunity for a cheap deal is closing quickly.
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