KRC Genk coach Wouter Vrancken has been left with mixed feelings after Crystal Palace agreed an initial £8 million deal to take Daniel Munoz to the Premier League.
HITC Football reported earlier on Friday that, after weeks of speculation, Crystal Palace have finally reached an agreement to bring the all-action Colombia international to Selhurst Park.
Daniel Munoz will join Roy Hodgson’s struggling side for a fee that could rise to £10 million. He is expected to complete a medical before Monday, while signing a long-term deal until the summer of 2028.
And Vrancken, who has worked alongside Munoz for the last two years in Belgium, is left balancing feelings of pride and disappointment. On one hand, he is ‘happy’ to see the late-blooming 27-year-old achieve his ‘dream’ move to England.
On the other, he knows that a player of Munoz’s talents will be difficult to replace.
Crystal Palace agree deal to sign Daniel Munoz
“I am happy for him that he can take this step,” Vrancken tells Het Laaste Nieuws.
“It’s a shame for us, because he is a super important player. He is someone you can go to war with and he also has impressive statistics.”
You can say that again. Since the start of last season, Munoz has 15 goals and nine assists from right-back. His penchant for key contributions in the final third will be welcomed with open arms, meanwhile, at a Crystal Palace side once again struggling for goals.
Genk coach confirms departure
“This morning, he said goodbye to the squad,” Vrancken adds, Munoz letting out a few tears as he bid an emotional farewell. “He was not able to keep it dry.
“At the age of 27, he wanted to take this step. And, financially, he is also doing well. I understand his situation.”
Palace will be hoping that Munoz makes a greater impact in England than two of Genk’s other recent departures. Paul Onuachu was prolific in Belgium but did not score a single Premier League goal for Southampton.
Mike Tresor, meanwhile, is struggling to command a starting spot under Vincent Kompany at Burnley.
“After the departure of Onuachu and Tresor, (Munoz) is the next player with such stats to leave us,” sights the Genk boss. “Of that magnitude, only (Joseph) Paintsil remains. It is a challenge to accommodate that.”
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
