Bayern join race for Everton target Nunez

Bayern Munich have joined the race to sign Athletic Bilbao defender and Everton January target Unai Nunez, according to reports.

The Spanish centre-back had emerged as a potential January recruitment for Everton last week, while Arsenal were also said to be keen on the 22-year old.

Nunez has fallen out down the pecking order at San Mames, with returning centre-back Inigo Martinez preferred to partner Yeray in defence.

Reports had suggested that Nunez was keen to leave the Spanish club, with further reports claiming the defender had changed agents in an attempt to force an exit.

Now, according to Mail Online (who cite Goal), Bavarian giants Bayern have entered the running for the talented defender, with Niko Kovac enduring an injury crisis at the Allianz Arena.

Niklas Sule tore his anterior cruciate ligament on Saturday, putting him on the sidelines for the remainder of the season and leaving Jerome Boateng as the club’s only fit natural centre-back option.

Bayern do have Benjamin Pavard, David Alaba and Javi Martinez who can fill in for the time being, but the Bundesliga club want someone whose natural role is as a central defender.

Everton are understood to be very interested in Nunez, and with the defender having a release clause of just £30million, the Toffees will have to convince the player that he would be better off at Goodison Park than in Munich.

Read Everton Verdict

Bayern’s interest does make Everton’s chances at landing the defender seem much more unlikely. The Bavarians can offer Champions League football, the chance to win silverware, and the club are just a larger and better prospect in general.

That said, Everton would be able to flaunt the promise of more game time to try and tempt Nunez into turning his back on Bayern, and Arsenal, although that may well not be enough.

What Bayern’s interest does do is reveal a little more about the continental reputation Nunez has, which makes him a player that Everton could benefit even more from should they convince him into moving to Merseyside.