Barcelona persists against Real Madrid in tug-of-war for Víctor Muñoz
As Barça looks to navigate a complex deal with Osasuna, Real Madrid is preparing to trigger its buy-back option
VILLARREAL, SPAIN - MARCH 27: Victor Munoz of Spain scores the team's third goal during the International Friendly match between Spain and Serbia at Estadio de la Ceramica on March 27, 2026 in Villarreal, Spain. (Photo by Ernest Kolodziej/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images) | Getty Images The scramble for Víctor Muñoz has entered a high-stakes phase, and while Barcelona’s interest is no secret , the path to a deal is becoming a minefield. By scoring just nine minutes into his international debut against Serbia at La Cerámica, the 21-year-old Barcelona native ended a long wait for an Osasuna player to net for the national team.
Now, he finds himself right in the middle of a battle between Spain’s two biggest clubs, with the clock ticking toward a summer deadline. While Muñoz is currently a fan favorite at El Sadar, where Osasuna plays in Navarre, his roots are tied to elsewhere. He spent his formative years at La Masia alongside current first-team figures like Alejandro Balde and Marc Casadó.
The club let him go when he was around 14 years old, a decision his inner circle reportedly says was tough to swallow. But he has recently emerged as a serious, cost-effective alternative for the Blaugrana if they decide against making Marcus Rashford’s €30 million stay permanent. According to Diario SPORT , the club is currently analyzing the winger’s contractual situation to see if they can beat Madrid to the punch.
It won’t be easy. Real Madrid still owns 50% of the forward’s rights and has an €8 million buy-back clause that kicks in this summer. It’s widely understood that the Madrid board is already planning to activate that clause to give Muñoz a pre-season audition alongside other returning talents like Endrick and Nico Paz.