Newcastle join Villa and Real Madrid in race for Sunderland transfer target
Newcastle are keen to sign a new left-winger as they prepare for the potential sale of England international Anthony Gordon
Newcastle have joined Aston Villa in the race for Osasuna winger Victor Munoz.
The 22-year-old, who is pushing for a spot in Spain’s 26-man World Cup squad after netting on his international debut in March, is emerging as one of Europe’s hottest wide prospects.
The Magpies are looking to recruit a new left-winger in preparation for Anthony Gordon’s impending departure.
Gordon has been the subject of talks with Bayern Munich and is understood to be keen on a new challenge after three-and-a-half years on Tyneside.
Mirror Football understands Newcastle have made checks on Munoz via his new representatives Niagara Sports Company ahead of the summer window.
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The initial enquiries are thought to have taken place in conjunction with conversations around 17-year-old Kustosija Zagreb gem Rafael Belinho.
Newcastle are the latest side to scout the exciting teenager, who is also being tracked by a series of top European clubs including Barcelona, Arsenal and Manchester United – as Mirror Football revealed earlier this year.
Munoz, much like Gordon, can play in multiple positions across the frontline and he has mustered seven goals and five assists in 36 matches across all competitions this season.
He joined Osasuna from Real Madrid last summer for an initial £4.3million, though that was only for 50 per cent of his rights.
It means Madrid will be entitled to a 50 per cent cut of any future fee Osasuna receive for the attacker, who has a £34.5m (€40m) release clause.
Los Blancos also reportedly have an undisclosed buy-back clause that is valid for a three-year period.
Munoz is set to miss Osasuna’s final La Liga match of the season against Getafe this weekend with a minor injury which is not expected to limit his potential involvement at the World Cup.
Newcastle’s arch-rivals Sunderland were strongly interested in January and made a proposal worth over £20m but a deal never materialised.
Now there is fierce competition for his signature as Villa are also in the fray. Real Madrid have also held dialogue about re-signing the player, Barcelona are keen too, as are Napoli and AC Milan.
Eddie Howe’s side are said to have multiple options on their radar but Munoz fits the kind of profile they are looking for.
Hoffenheim’s Bazoumana Toure is another forward they have tracked. The 20-year-old Ivory Coast international was highly-rated at Hammarby IF in Sweden and he has since excelled in the Bundesliga, registering five goals and 12 assists this season.
In midfield, AS Monaco’s Lamine Camara is among the club’s top targets as Newcastle brace themselves for summer interest in Sandro Tonali.
Monaco would push for £40m but know Camara’s value could sky-rocket if they hold off until after the World Cup.
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