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Newcastle United have entered negotiations with Osasuna to secure the signing of Spain’s World Cup star Victor Munoz as a direct replacement for Anthony Gordon. The Magpies are pushing hard early in the summer transfer window to acquire the 22-year-old before his performances on the international stage further increase his value.

Newcastle’s search for Gordon’s successor

As per a BBC report, Newcastle have identified Munoz as the ideal player to fill the void left by Gordon in Eddie Howe’s attacking setup. Gordon recently sealed a high-profile transfer to Barcelona worth £69.3 million, leaving a crucial vacancy on the wing that the Tyneside club is eager to address swiftly.

Although discussions are still in progress, no formal deal has been finalised for the Spanish forward. Munoz’s current contract includes a release clause of £34.5 million, which Newcastle are currently evaluating as they aim to finalise their second signing of the summer, following the acquisition of goalkeeper Ewen Jaouen.

Howe’s proactive transfer approach

The pursuit of Munoz aligns with Eddie Howe’s strategy of completing transfer business early. After securing the highly rated Jaouen from Stade de Reims for £18.5 million, Newcastle are determined to keep pace with their Premier League competitors in a rapidly moving transfer market.

In May, Howe elaborated on his approach to recruitment, stressing the importance of speed and decisiveness: “You will find the best players that are available on the market won't hang around for too long. The speed at which the transfer market moves now is very quick. Teams are very efficient and we have to be there as one of those teams.”

Munoz’s development among Spain’s elite

Victor Munoz’s footballing pedigree is impressive, having honed his skills at the youth academies of both Real Madrid and Barcelona. Now excelling at Osasuna, the 22-year-old has emerged as one of La Liga’s standout young attackers. During the 2025-26 season, he featured in 36 matches across all competitions, scoring seven goals and providing five assists — a performance that earned him a place in Spain’s senior squad for the 2026 World Cup.

The winger is currently part of Luis de la Fuente’s Spanish team as they gear up for their opening World Cup fixture against Cape Verde in Atlanta on June 15. Newcastle are conscious that strong performances from Munoz on the world stage could spark further interest from top clubs, which is why they are eager to finalise an agreement swiftly.

Expanded scouting and data-driven recruitment

This summer signals a marked change in Newcastle’s recruitment philosophy. The club has shifted from focusing primarily on Premier League-proven players to casting a wider net across Europe. Sporting director Ross Wilson is said to be employing advanced data analytics to modernise the club’s operations, targeting promising young talents like the 20-year-old Ewen Jaouen and Victor Munoz who can grow with the long-term project in the North East.

Spain’s World Cup ambitions

As Spain prepare for another major international campaign, all eyes will be on how far Luis de la Fuente’s youthful and dynamic squad — including Victor Munoz — can progress in the 2026 World Cup.