The Catalan club are interested in the emerging talent but so too are rivals Real Madrid, who own half of the player’s rights
Word on the street is that Barcelona are keen on securing the signature of Victor Munoz, La Liga’s standout young player this season.
The Osasuna winger has impressed with his dribbling and attacking output since joining the club last year in a €5m move. His performances have earned him a Spain call up, where he has equally impressed, and in the summer there is set to be a fight for his services.
Munoz himself in a way embodies that battle. He spent time in the La Masia academy as a youth player, but also had a spell in the youth system at Real Madrid, and it’s the latter club who have significant influence over where he could play next season.
According to reports, Madrid are aware of Barcelona’s interest and are not expected to allow the player to move to their rivals. When Munoz left Real Madrid Castilla for Osasuna, the club included several protective clauses in the deal.
There is a buyback option, allowing Madrid to re-sign him for a fee between €8m and €10m, as well as a right of first refusal that gives them control over any potential transfer. Madrid also retain 50 per cent of the player’s rights, meaning they would receive half of any future transfer fee.
Barcelona are known to have particularly bristled at the prospect of enriching their rivals. Should they pay Munoz’s reported release clause of €40m for instance, Madrid will receive €20m out of that. It is set to be an interesting summer.
