Everton are watching closely with £25 million defender Unai Nunez facing an uncertain future at Athletic Bilbao, according to AS.
While one of the most historic clubs in La Liga are admired across the globe for their very unique transfer strategy, their policy of only signing players from the Basque region certainly makes life difficult when it comes to replacing a star man.
With Nunez rejecting not one, not two but three new contracts at the San Mames, Athletic are fretting as interest rises in the Spain international centre-half (Marca).
Nunez’s current deal runs until 2023.
But with a £25 million release-clause in his contract (one that Athletic are desperate to remove), the Basque giants will be powerless to prevent the 23-year-old from seeking a fresh challenge if the likes of Everton, West Ham or AC Milan come calling.
AS have now thrown Everton into the mix and, to be honest, that should come as no surprise to anyone on the blue half of Stanley Park.
Everton’s desire to strengthen their backline is one of the worst-kept secrets in football, after all.
Deals for Gabriel Magalhaes, Jean-Clair Todibo and co have hit the buffers, so it seemed only a matter of time before Nunez’s affordable release-clause caught their eye.
The 6ft 1ins stopper is not a regular in Athletic’s first XI, starting just 12 La Liga matches this season, but he is a man who tends to step up on the big stage.
Nunez has produced two Man of the Match performances against Barcelona in recent months, while his remarkable backheel clearance to deny Karim Benzema in a clash with Real Madrid has to be seen to be believed.
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