Newcastle United are pushing hard to reshape their squad this summer after a difficult 2025/26 Premier League campaign that saw them finish 11th with just 49 points.
Technical director Ross Wilson is leading the charge to bring in new talent, with The Northern Echo confirming that talks for Osasuna winger Victor Munoz are advancing with significant progress made late last week.
Munoz has emerged as Newcastle’s top target to replace Anthony Gordon, who is no longer at the club following his departure from St. James’ Park.
The 22-year-old Spain international holds a £34.5m release clause in his current contract, but it is widely expected that Newcastle can secure his signature for around £30m.
A product of Real Madrid’s youth academy, Los Blancos were given the opportunity to re-sign Munoz this summer but chose not to, leaving the door open for the Magpies to move in.
La Liga expert Phil Minshull has described Munoz as “one of the pearls of Spanish football,” which speaks volumes about the winger’s rapid rise through the Spanish game.
His participation at the World Cup has complicated Newcastle’s efforts to wrap up the deal quickly, making a swift conclusion to negotiations more challenging for Wilson and his team.
Comparisons to former Newcastle fan favourite Hatem Ben Afra have already begun to circulate, with the Frenchman having scored 14 goals and supplied 16 assists across 86 appearances for the club during his time in the north east.
Ben Afra was celebrated for his pace and ball-carrying ability, qualities that left a lasting impression on English football, and Munoz appears to share many of those same electric traits on the wing.
Munoz averaged 2.2 successful dribbles per 90 minutes in the 2025/26 season, compared to Gordon’s 1.3, suggesting the Spaniard carries a greater individual threat when driving at defenders.
His 4.9 duels won per 90 also outpaces Gordon’s 3.8, highlighting a physical and competitive edge that could prove valuable in the Premier League’s demanding environment.
While Gordon contributed an impressive 21 assists in 26 appearances last season, Munoz still has room to develop his creative output as he adjusts to a higher level of competition.
Elsewhere in their summer recruitment, Newcastle have already signed 20-year-old goalkeeper Ewan Jaouen following the end of Aaron Ramsdale’s loan spell at the club.
A senior goalkeeper such as Manchester City’s James Trafford could also arrive at St. James’ Park should Nick Pope depart the club before the transfer window closes.
The frontline remains an area of concern after neither Nick Woltemade nor Yoane Wissa managed to truly nail down their roles following the departure of Alexander Isak last summer.
Eddie Howe will be eager to avoid repeating last summer’s transfer frustrations, and landing Munoz could represent the kind of decisive attacking addition the squad has been crying out for.
If the deal is completed, Newcastle will be hoping Munoz can bring the spark and unpredictability to Howe’s system that elevates them back toward the upper reaches of the Premier League table.