It had barely been half an hour after England's brilliant opening 4-2 World Cup win over Croatia when Three Lions fans of a Newcastle United persuasion had their joy cut short. News dropped that Liverpool had hijacked Newcastle's move for Spanish international winger Victor Munoz and it was revealed that the Osasuna star had decided to move to Anfield rather than St James' Park.
Despite haggling over not paying Munoz's release clause, the Magpies had agreed a fee with the Spanish outfit, personal terms were agreed and it was felt that United were on the verge of securing their second signing of the summer after the £18.5million capture of Stade Reims goalkeeper Ewen Jaouen. But at the eleventh hour, Newcastle were instructed to wait by the player's representatives while they were planning for a medical for Munoz to take place in the USA, where he is currently representing Spain at the World Cup.
And that was because Liverpool had made their move to sign him, triggering Munoz's £34.5million release clause to not only beat Newcastle to his signature but also fending off late interest from Bayer Leverkusen, Manchester United and Barcelona. New Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola was the driving force behind the deal. The Spaniard has identified his compatriot as having the skills and the capability to complement British record signing Alexander Isak, who struggled to make a mark after his £125million move from Newcastle.
After talks with the club's recruitment staff the Reds quickly made their move. Liverpool will pay the fee in two instalments and Munoz underwent his medical near Spain's training camp in Chattanooga, Tennessee, with a club delegation out there now putting the finishing touches to the deal. The fact they had a medical team out in the States, yet kept the move under wraps, was impressive.
It is undoubtedly a blow for Newcastle and a blow for sporting director Ross Wilson, whose promising start to his first summer transfer window had looked far removed than the mess of last summer. But just as the Magpies missed out on Hugo Ekitike, Benjamin Sesko, Joao Pedro and James Trafford to 'big six' clubs last year, they have been gazumped again to evoke painful memories of a difficult transfer window.
The backlash from supporters who are coming to terms with the same tired story has been fierce but justified. The belief was this summer would be different and although Newcastle had agreed a fee, the question has to be asked whether they could have just triggered the release clause and moved quicker to avoid Liverpool joining the race. The optics are not good and while time is still on their side in the transfer window, Wilson is now facing up to the first two big tests of his tenure.
The first is how Newcastle respond to the Munoz disappointment. No matter how it is dressed up it is a blow. The Spaniard was Newcastle's top target to replace Anthony Gordon on the wing and his ability to play across the forward line was a big attraction. The Magpies have other targets but they may well be more expensive than the 22-year-old. Real Betis star Abde Ezzalzouli, RB Leipzig trickster Antonio Nusa and Lille's Belgian international Matias Fernandez-Pardo are among those who have been monitored by the club's recruitment staff.
The second comes in the shape of Sandro Tonali and what Newcastle do next. Manchester City, Arsenal and Tottenham are among his admirers but Newcastle are determined to sell him on their terms. Elliot Anderson being touted at over £100million by Nottingham Forest gives the Magpies a reference point of the type of fee they can command for a player they paid £55million to sign three years ago who still has three years remaining on his contract at St James' Park.
How Newcastle, and indeed Wilson, navigate those two challenges will now be monitored closely. It is far too early to write off a summer transfer window that ends on September 1 on June 18. But what Newcastle do next will go some way to determining whether it will be deemed a success.
