Munoz brings back familiar feeling

[BBC]This Victor Munoz setback will bring back some very painful memories for Newcastle.

>The club missed out on a number of first-choice targets last summer, including Hugo Ekitike, who also opted to join Liverpool.

>There are one or two parallels with that particular failed pursuit.

>Whether it was the manner in which news of Newcastle entering advanced talks first emerged, from a third party, or how Liverpool quietly entered the race, it felt a little familiar in the end.

>There was a degree of caution inside Newcastle last week at a time when even sources at Osasuna stressed a formal bid had not been received.

>Subsequently, it is understood Osasuna only received offers from two clubs - Newcastle and Liverpool - which were both accepted.

>To then miss out on Munoz is a hammer blow for Newcastle, who have set out to strike early and learn lessons from last year's turbulent window.

>Although Newcastle will move on to other targets, Munoz had been identified as the man they believed could be Gordon's long-term replacement.

>Understandably so.

>In the right hands, and with time, he is blessed with all the raw ingredients to one day flourish in the Premier League – not least his lightning pace.

>However, as was the case with Ekitike, Newcastle will now have to watch on from afar as he pitches up at Anfield.