---
title: "Arsenal: Unai Nunez is on Gunners’ transfer radar as possible Dayot Upamecano alternative"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/arsenal-unai-nunez-transfer-interest-upamecano-alternative/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Luke Seychell"
section: "Arsenal Football Club"
published: "2020-07-09T20:20:26Z"
modified: "2020-07-09T20:20:26Z"
---

# Arsenal: Unai Nunez is on Gunners’ transfer radar as possible Dayot Upamecano alternative

**Arsenal have been [linked heavily](https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/12042083/thomas-partey-arsenal-transfer-atletico/) with La Liga midfielder Thomas Partey but it looks like they have eyes on other players in that division as recent reports suggest that they are interested in Unai Nunez.**

![](https://cdn.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/THE-BREAKDOWN.png)

According to [AS](https://as.com/) (via [Metro](https://metro.co.uk/2020/07/08/arsenal-west-ham-everton-12961027/)), the Gunners, West Ham and Everton are all interested in the Spanish defender. Nunez, who currently plays for Athletic Bilbao, has a release clause of around £27m, although the Basque club are trying to get the 23-year-old to sign a new contract.

However, the defender has refused their offers, according to Spanish publication [AS](https://as.com/). They reported that the centre-back has a contract until 2023 and, due to him rejecting a new deal, the La Liga side would prefer him to leave this summer, especially with his relatively low release clause.

Nunez played for Spain at last year’s European Under-21 Championship and his defensive statistics in all his 23 appearances for club and country since last summer highlight that he is a defender who routinely spots trouble as he has managed on average 1.1 interceptions and 3.9 clearances a game, per [WhoScored.](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/344200/Show/Unai-N%C3%BA%C3%B1ez)

![](https://cdn.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Verdict.png)

With some of Arsenal’s centre-backs like David Luiz and Sokratis over the age of 32, per [WhoScored](https://www.whoscored.com/Teams/13/Show/England-Arsenal), it would be good to get a younger alternative to replace these players and ensure that Mikel Arteta has plenty of squad depth at centre-back. Arteta is now starting to [favour a formation](https://m.football-lineups.com/team/Arsenal/) which requires three central defenders, so he needs plenty of good options in this position.

Nunez seems like he would be a fine acquisition given his impressive performances in La Liga and his release clause is very cheap for his age and experience ([73 senior club appearances](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/unai-nunez/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/338285/verein/621)), so this deal seems like a no-brainer, especially as the Gunners’ other centre-back transfer target Dayot Upamecano will [reportedly](https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/rb-leipzig-expect-arsenal-target-22309412) sign a new contract at RB Leipzig.

***Gunners fans, would Nunez be a good signing for Arsenal’s defence? Let us know what you think in the comments below!***