Real Madrid clause denies rivals Barcelona from signing rising star

Víctor Muñoz has become one of the breakout stories of the season. Luis de la Fuente’s call-up only confirmed the quality and consistency the Real Madrid academy product has shown in an Osasuna shirt. He arrived at the club last summer from Real Madrid, which still holds matching rights, a buyback option and 50% of his economic rights in the event of a future transfer.

What is clear at Valdebebas regarding the Osasuna winger’s future is that under no circumstances will Real Madrid allow him to end up at Barcelona, a rumor that has gathered pace in recent weeks. Madrid has no intention of letting that happen because of the matching rights it holds over the Spain international’s sporting future. Muñoz, notably, also spent time in Barcelona’s academy earlier in his career.

As with many other players developed at La Fábrica, Víctor Muñoz’s future over the next three seasons depends on a joint decision with Real Madrid. Without the club’s approval, neither he nor Nico Paz, Jacobo or several others can decide on a move by themselves. Madrid’s coaches and executives have operated under that principle for the past five years. The pattern has repeated itself, and control rests with whatever decision is made in the offices at Valdebebas. In other words, everything depends on Real Madrid’s sporting department.

What Real Madrid is convinced of, beyond the success of the deal struck with Osasuna, is that the pacey winger will not play for Barcelona. The latest development cited as evidence of a possible move to the Catalan club was his switch in representation, finalized months ago, but that has nothing to do with a potential transfer to the Blaugrana.

His new agency, Niágara Sport, has an excellent relationship with Barcelona, but it also has strong ties to Real Madrid. The move reflected the player’s desire to change representatives, not any promise of joining one club or another, but rather a plan to work with a view to the future.

50% of any future transfer

Premier League and Serie A clubs have already inquired about the situation of a player with a release clause of about $43 million, but Real Madrid can buy the forward back over the next three summers for roughly $9 million, $10 million or $11 million, while also holding matching rights if it chooses not to activate the buyback clause. On top of that, the club would be entitled to 50% of any future transfer fee.

The winger has already made two appearances for Spain and is shaping up as a World Cup contender. So far, he has played in every league game, with five goals and three assists serving as his main credentials.

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