Víctor Muñoz completed a surprise transfer to Liverpool following a breakout season at Osasuna, a move that came despite Newcastle United being in pole position. Liverpool hijacked the deal for $46 million (€40 million), the club’s first official signing under new boss Andoni Iraola. Muñoz will return from representing Spain at the 2026 World Cup and face the familiar challenges of a new country, league and team, and possibly a new shirt number.

Muñoz most recently wore 21 during his debut campaign with Osasuna. The 21 shirt is technically available at Liverpool after Konstantinos Tsimikas left it vacant when he joined Roma on loan. Tsimikas is expected to return to Merseyside, but his future in red remains uncertain. There is a reality in which he could be on his way out this summer, but reports suggest Tsimikas wants to stay and compete with Milos Kerkez for minutes in the final year of his contract. Should he get his wish, he could once again wear 21.

At Real Madrid, Muñoz has worn several numbers. He had brief first-team appearances wearing 44, which he only wore four times. He spent more time with Real Madrid Castilla wearing 23 and 9. The 23 shirt is available at Anfield after Luis Díaz moved to Bayern Munich, while the 9 is currently owned by Alexander Isak.

For Spain, the 22-year-old dons the 25 shirt, which belongs to Giorgi Mamardashvili at Liverpool. Muñoz’s choices were constrained by La Liga rules that require first-team players to wear numbers between 1 and 25; that restriction explains why players sometimes change numbers when they move between leagues. The winger’s shirt decision at Liverpool will be resolved after his return and as the squad settles under Iraola.

Liverpool remain intent on recruiting a long-term successor to Mohamed Salah and have opened talks over Yan Diomande. Leipzig, however, are resisting a sale and are pushing to extend Diomande’s contract. To accept a transfer, the German club would insist on “significantly more” than Liverpool’s opening proposal, which the Reds submitted largely to “test the waters”.

The Daily Mail state Liverpool are set to return with an improved bid, but Leipzig will watch Diomande’s World Cup displays closely and may boost their valuation accordingly. That approach is already proving effective.

Diomande’s tournament with Côte d’Ivoire is just beginning, but he made a strong impression in the 1–0 victory over Ecuador. On the night his quick feet and direct dribbling stood out. No player had more touches in the opposition box than Diomande (12), while his five chances created led the game. He troubled an Ecuador defence containing PSG’s Willian Pacho and Arsenal’s Piero Hincapié.

Match metrics from that appearance:
Minutes played: 90
Chances created: 5
Dribble success: 67% (4/6)
Touches in opposition box: 12
Expected goals and assists (xG + xA): 0.54
Ground duels won: 73% (11/15)

Leipzig officials will welcome the possibility that continued form raises interest and transfer value. The club has adjusted its strategy recently by attempting to keep key players on fresh contracts while remaining open to sales for the right fee. That could mean holding Diomande to a new deal and negotiating a move later on more favourable terms.

Relations between the two clubs are described as strong. The presence of Jürgen Klopp in the Red Bull hierarchy is noted as a further link that should aid constructive talks, and both sides are expected to conduct negotiations amicably as the window progresses.

Alexis Mac Allister’s agent and father, Carlos, has moved to dampen talk of an imminent transfer to Real Madrid while making clear his son remains focused on the World Cup.

Speculation has linked the Liverpool midfielder with a summer move following a 2025–26 campaign in which his form drew harsh scrutiny. Real Madrid have been mentioned as a destination after securing Bernardo Silva this year as they seek long-term successors to Toni Kroos and Luka Modrić.

Carlos Mac Allister, who also represents his son, denied that any contact had taken place with the Spanish club when speaking to Erem News. “The reports circulating about Alexis are false.

“No one from Real Madrid has spoken to us so far. There is no new information regarding Alexis’s current situation at Liverpool .”

Mac Allister’s contract at Liverpool runs until June 2028 and, according to the available information, there have been no discussions about an extension. The player spent three seasons on Merseyside after his move from Brighton & Hove Albion.

The agent returned to the subject in comments to WinWin, stressing the immediate priority and leaving the possibility of reconsideration once the World Cup is concluded: “Alexis is in excellent shape to play in the World Cup. Before the World Cup begins, it’s not possible to discuss or analyse a player’s future,” he said.

Liverpool endured a difficult 2025–26 season and finished fifth to secure Champions League qualification. The club has since changed managers, with Arne Slot replaced by Andoni Iraola, and a significant summer of turnover is anticipated, including the departures of Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson.

How the new manager views Mac Allister remains unclear. After three seasons at Liverpool, both player and club may evaluate whether a fresh chapter is appropriate once international commitments conclude.