This article is part of Football FanCast’s Opinion series, which provides analysis, insight and opinion on any issue within the beautiful game, from Paul Pogba’s haircuts to League Two relegation battles…
It seems like Iker Muniain has been around for ages.
The two-time Spain international made his debut for Athletic Bilbao as a 16-year-old back in 2009, and he has been a mainstay in the team ever since. Even at the age of just 26, he has made 398 appearances for Los Leones, scoring 58 goals and providing 40 assists. It seems he is rather settled at the Basque club, with him having made the uncommon step of signing a new contract without a release clause in it. In Spain, this is something of a rarity.
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However, according to Don Balon, Jurgen Klopp would be interested in taking Muniain to Anfield next summer. Whilst the potential fee is not yet known, it is being said that Liverpool would be willing to double his €2m (£1.7m)-a-year salary.
As a left-winger, it is hard to see the Spaniard dethroning Sadio Mane in the Reds’ starting XI. Having said that, coming in as a back-up/rotation option would not go amiss. At the moment, the alternative to the Senegal international appears to be Divock Origi, but he is a striker by nature and only plugs a gap when appearing on that flank. As a specialist in that position, Muniain is exactly what Klopp needs.
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He has the ability to succeed, too. This season, he has been in good form for Gaizka Garitano’s side. In 12 La Liga appearances, he has bagged four goals, which have come from an average of 1.1 shots per game. Standing at just 5 foot 7 in, he is diminutive, and that has brought along tags of “the Spanish Messi” in the past. Whilst he cannot match the standards of the great Argentinian, he is still a creative force. He has 1.5 key passes per match this campaign, as well as 1.8 dribbles. In both aspects, he leads the way amongst his teammates.
Currently valued at £13.5m by Transfermarkt, it is not known how much Bilbao would command for his services, or even whether Muniain would be willing to depart San Mames. Should he feel inclined to seek out a new challenge, though, Merseyside would be a good destination. As cover for Mane, he would be exactly what the former Borussia Dortmund boss requires.
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