Arsenal joined by Bayern Munich in £30m transfer battle for Athletic Bilbao centre-back Unai Nunez

BAYERN MUNICH have joined Arsenal's £30million hunt for Spain centre-back Unai Nunez.

Everton target Nunez, 22, has lost his regular spot with Athletic Bilbao and Bayern need to replace crocked Germany star Niklas Sule.

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Now suggest Nunez is already the Bundesliga champions' top target after key defender Sule tore his anterior cruciate ligament in last Saturdays 2-2 draw at Augsburg.

Former Manchester City player Jerome Boateng is Bayern's only fit senior centre-back.

And Nunez, capped once, is thought to have a release clause of around £30m.

Fellow Spain international Inigo Martinez and Under-21 star Yeray Alvarez have been Bilbao chief Gaizka Garitano's preferred defensive duo this season.

That is said to have heightened Arsenal's interest and also given Everton hope.

The Gunners' defensive woes were the biggest common denominator in their two contrasting games this week.

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After shocking marking helped gift Sheffield United a 1-0 Premier League win on Monday, Arsenal crept past Vitoria 3-2 in the Europa League three nights later.

Boss Unai Emery changed his keeper and whole backline but the Gunners looked just as creaky and leaky in defence.

And only Nicolas Pepe's two late-free-kicks snatched victory against the Portuguese visitors.