Report: Everton linked with Unai Nunez, available for £27m

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Everton are one of several teams keeping tabs on Athletic Bilbao defender Unai Nunez as the Basque star continues to reject contract offers from the club. 

The report, from Diario AS, reports that Everton are one of several teams to have shown interest in Nunez over recent months. 

This will come as no surprise. The Daily Mail reported in October that Everton were considering a January move for the player.

The reason why is clear. Nunez has a €30 million (£27m) release clause in his contract at the San Mames. It is claimed that Nunez has rejected a chance to sign a new deal at the club, following reports from MARCA last month that suggested Nunez has received three new contract offers but, as of yet, has not committed to a new deal.

Nunez was handed his first cap for Spain last August but has been in and out of the Athletic first-team this season, playing 16 games in La Liga. 

A talented ball-playing defender, it is easy to see why teams would be interested in Nunez but that price-tag is still quite high for a player who is yet to establish himself as an indisputable starter. 

Everton are clearly in the hunt for a centre-back and their first-choice option, Gabriel Magalhaes of Lille, looks increasingly likely to head elsewhere. 

So if they can reduce that price-tag, then perhaps Nunez is the answer to their centre-back issues. 

But if not, £27 million would still seem too steep for the Spanish defender.