Sunderland have been linked with CA Osasuna star Victor Muñoz several times in recent weeks.

Sunderland could face an uphill battle in their mooted efforts to sign Victor Muñoz, with current club CA Osasuna set to stand firm in their £34 million valuation of the player amid suggestions that he could be in line for a senior international call-up, according to reports.

The Black Cats have been repeatedly linked with the Spanish winger in recent weeks. On the continent, it has been claimed that they failed with a January bid to lure the player to the Stadium of Light, having had offers of around £17 million and £21 million knocked back.

Instead, it is understood that Osasuna are eager to secure a fee closer to £34 million for Muñoz. This is because the attacker has a release clause in his contract, plus the fact that his current side would reportedly owe 50% of any fee they receive to his boyhood club, Real Madrid.

In the wake of Sunderland’s apparent interest in his player, Osasuna director Braulio Vázquez gave an interview to Spanish media explaining: “We didn’t even listen to them [Sunderland’s bids]; we stuck to the clause. It’s also true, and I want to emphasise this, that he’s very grateful to the club.

“We brought him in from the Primera RFEF [Real Madrid First Division], where he’d only played 40 minutes in La Liga, and we paid €5million. I told him he was going to experience personal and professional growth because it was the right environment, and he’s very grateful. As of today, we’re not considering him leaving, and neither is he.”

Since then, Vázquez has suggested that Muñoz’s future is very much in his own hands, while emphasising his belief that the 22-year-old won’t be going anywhere anytime soon. In a fresh interview with DAZN, as relayed by Marca, he said: “It depends on the player’s own wishes. He has had some opportunities, but at no point did he consider leaving because, as I said and as he himself has pointed out, he is in the right environment to continue growing.”

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What is the latest on Victor Muñoz’s situation amid Sunderland transfer links?

And according to a fresh update from Wednesday’s edition of Diario de Noticias, Sunderland could be set for an even tougher task when it comes to prying Muñoz away from Osasuna in the immediate future. That’s because the wide man is understood to be on the cusp of receiving a first-ever senior international call-up for Spain - a development that would only entrench the La Liga side’s view that he is worth at least £34 million.

As things stand, Muñoz has never represented his country at any level, youth or senior, but an injury to Athletic Bilbao star Nico Williams has left head coach Luis de la Fuente seeking alternatives ahead of an upcoming double-header against Argentina and Egypt later this month. To that end, it is claimed that both Muñoz and RCD Mallorca talent Jan Virgili are being considered.

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