Liverpool have agreed a surprise €40 million ($45 million) deal for Osasuna winger Víctor Muñoz, the club’s first confirmed signing of what promises to be a significant summer window. The transfer follows a recent pattern at Anfield of beating Newcastle to targets and arrives as the squad prepares for Andoni Iraola’s debut season.

The wide forward areas are a clear priority. Mohamed Salah’s exit after nine years, the regression of Cody Gakpo and the expected departure of Federico Chiesa have left Liverpool light on options, with 17-year-old Rio Ngumoha the only other first-team winger mentioned in club planning. Muñoz arrives having produced a breakthrough 2025–26 campaign in La Liga with Osasuna, his first full season at senior level, and with a place on Luis de la Fuente’s Spain World Cup roster.

Statistically the numbers are modest: six goals and two assists in 34 appearances, 81 shots and an xG of 7.8. Context matters. Osasuna were a poor side fighting relegation, and Muñoz’s directness and searing pace stand out. He was recorded as La Liga’s second fastest player in 2025–26 at 35.5 km/h (22 mph) and once claimed to AS that he hit 36.6 km/h (22.7 mph) in pre-season with Real Madrid’s B team. Only Lamine Yamal, Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappé completed more dribbles than Muñoz’s 75, and among players under 25 only Yamal took more shots than his 81. He also scored a neat outside-the-boot finish on his Spain debut in a 3–0 win over Serbia in March.

Muñoz’s profile — pace, dribbling and the ability to play across the forward line while most often featuring on the left — appears to match the high-energy style Iraola favours. He joined Osasuna for €5 million ($5.75 million) from Real Madrid last summer with a three-year buy-back clause and 50% of any future fee reserved for Madrid. If Liverpool’s move completes for €40 million, Madrid will receive €20 million under that arrangement.

Reports indicate Liverpool may continue to pursue additional attackers amid uncertain futures at the club. On Diomande and other targets, Côte d’Ivoire manager Emerse Faé said: “When we were in France journalists told me he was about to sign with PSG,” Faé said after the victory over Ecuador. “Here, they tell me he’s about to sign with Liverpool!

“I don’t know, but for now, he will focus on the World Cup, and then afterwards, he can think about the rest of his career.”

Arne Slot has published a wide-ranging farewell letter after two seasons at Liverpool, saying he quits with pride after a spell that he believes returned the club “back where it belongs” among Europe’s elite.

Slot released a short statement in the immediate aftermath of his Anfield exit and followed that with a longer piece published through the Liverpool ECHO. He arrived at Liverpool two years ago with low expectations, backed to steer a Jürgen Klopp-less Reds outfit through a handful of transitional years while they adjusted to such a seismic change. As the Dutchman has admitted, winning the Premier League title in his first season perhaps distorted perception of the challenge he faced.

“You walk out under that famous sign in the Anfield tunnel, and you feel a mix of emotions,” he wrote. “Responsibility, of course. To this club’s great history. Expectation, naturally. To honor the legacy that, for 134 years, has made Liverpool FC one of the biggest clubs in world football.

“And determination. To compete. To win. To bring success to an Anfield crowd so renowned across the globe.

“That all of those emotions would culminate in a Premier League title after just 12 months was beyond special. It was not only a trophy, but a reward for the hard work, sacrifice and commitment shown by so many people throughout the club.

“It was made even more meaningful because you got to enjoy it with us. Singing our songs, cheering the goals. And on the day we lifted the trophy, you were there. Lining the streets outside the stadium, filling Anfield in anticipation.”

Slot contrasted that celebration with the absence of fans in 2019–20 and paid tribute to the city after the events on Water Street when a car drove into crowds, injuring over 130 people. “What followed on Water Street later that day was shocking and my thoughts remain with all of those affected,” he reflected.

He also addressed the club’s grief following the death of Diogo Jota. “That only weeks after celebrating together we would lose Diogo is indescribable,” Slot admitted. “More than anything, I want to remember a teammate, a friend and an incredible human being who touched the lives of thousands of you every time he wore this club’s famous crest.”

He thanked staff and players in full: “Of course, it is important to say thank you.

“To the players who wore the badge with pride while representing this club across the world. To the staff—not only those on the training ground—but those behind the scenes, whether maintaining the pitches at Anfield or working in the canteen at the training ground.

“To the club hierarchy and ownership for your trust and direction. To the legends who supported me and impressed upon me the importance of The Liverpool Way.

“It has been a pleasure working with you all.”

Slot acknowledged the resignation left the club in transition, made sharper by the departures of Mohamed Salah, Andy Robertson and Ibrahima Konaté. He also noted Liverpool secured Champions League qualification and observed the team returned 60 points from 38 games, matching the low of the 2015–16 season, which yielded an eighth-place finish in Klopp’s first year.

Despite the disappointment that ended his tenure, Slot stressed the achievement of a joint-record 20th league crown: “Liverpool’s 20th league title belongs to all of us and it will remain an important chapter in its history. For that we should all be proud.” He closed with confidence about the future: “I leave with complete confidence in what lies ahead.”

Two years after his appointment, Arne Slot has left Liverpool and the club begins the search for his successor. The decision follows a run of poor results and performances and will split opinion inside the dressing room. For some players the change brings fresh opportunity; for others it raises questions about their future.

Florian Wirtz endured a difficult debut season after last summer’s blockbuster move from Bayer Leverkusen. Slot was unable to get the best from him, with Wirtz finishing the campaign with just 15 goal involvements in 49 matches and often shifted to the left flank. Xabi Alonso and Julian Nagelsmann had previously unlocked Wirtz’s potential at club and international level. Liverpool’s next manager, almost certainly ex-Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola, would inherit a creative talent who still needs careful nurturing.

Curtis Jones arrives at the summer with uncertainty around his future. Reports of a move to Serie A champions Inter intensified after first surfacing in the winter window, fuelled by frustrations under Slot and limited involvement. The 25-year-old has shown technical ability but inconsistency remains his key problem. Even Jürgen Klopp was unable to turn Jones into a world-beating midfielder. If Iraola arrives, Jones could benefit from a coach known for man-management, with Alex Scott’s progress at Bournemouth cited as an encouraging example.

Milos Kerkez struggled early after signing last summer but improved as the season went on, though he did not reach the levels he showed in 2024–25 at Bournemouth. Slot’s move away from using attacking width from fullback constrained Kerkez’s impact. If Iraola returns, Kerkez would reunite with the manager who turned him into a $53.5 million (£40 million) player and might rediscover the form expected of Liverpool’s Andy Robertson successor.

Jeremie Frimpong’s season was disrupted by five separate spells on the sidelines, and when fit he found Slot’s system confusing. The 25-year-old had delivered 10 or more goal involvements in each of his final four seasons at Bayer Leverkusen as a wingback but managed just three in 35 appearances for Liverpool.

Cody Gakpo featured heavily with 52 appearances, yet scored nine goals and only one in the final three months after signing a new contract last August. With Rio Ngumoha emerging and Liverpool targeting at least one new winger this summer, including Yan Diomande as a first-choice target, Gakpo will need to prove himself to Slot’s successor.

Ryan Gravenberch was redeployed by Slot as a defensive midfielder and that transformation was important to Liverpool winning the Premier League, so Slot justifiably retained faith in the former Bayern Munich man last season.