Everton will face competition from Arsenal for Athletic Bilbao defender Unai Nunez, according to reports.
We covered the story yesterday about Everton’s reported interest in the Spanish centre-back, with Marco Silva considering the 22-year to be high on his wish list for January.
Nunez is regarded as one of the most promising young defenders in Europe, although he has fallen down the pecking order at San Mames slightly in recent weeks, with Inigo Martinez returning from injury to partner Yeray.
Everton hope that the promise of regular game time could tempt the Spain international into leaving La Liga, although Arsenal’s interest could now complicate matters.
Mail Online report that the Gunners are also keen on the defender, and with the London side also struggling for squad depth at the back, they could also offer Nunez regular game time.
Mail Online’s report claims that Nunez has a release clause of around £30million, so he would be a costly additional to Silva’s squad.
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If we are to assume that Everton would need to meet Nunez’s buyout clause to sign him, then Silva would need to assess whether he represents a better option that Kurt Zouma.
Chelsea may well still issue a hands-off over the Frenchman, but a price tag of around £30million was previously mentioned, so both defenders would likely cost a similar figure.
Zouma has proven Premier League experience, Nunez doesn’t, but the Spaniard does have a fantastic reputation and has years on the France international. Either way, Arsenal could be real competition in the race for Nunez, which could impact Everton’s plans.
