Bayern Munich have joined the race to sign Athletic Bilbao's centre-back Unai Nunez, who has a £30million release clause inserted into his contract.

The highly rated defender has started to attract attention across Europe, and Bayern boss Niko Kovac is reported to have turned his attention to the 22-year-old following a spate of injuries.

Bayern are poised for a January move for the star, as report Goal, after Niklas Sule was ruled out for the rest of the season after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament against Augsburg on Saturday.

Arsenal and Everton are ready to battle it out for Athletic Bilbao defender Unai Nunez (left)

The Bundesliga giants one have been left with one fit out-and-out senior centre-back in the shape of Jerome Boateng as a result.

Javi Martinez, Benjamin Pavard and David Alaba each have experience playing in the role however, and are expected to deputise until Bayern can bring in reinforcement.

Arsenal and Everton are monitoring Nunez's progress, as revealed by Sportsmail, and a both very keen on the youngster who already has one national cap for Spain.

Niklas Sule has been ruled out for the season with an anterior cruciate ligament tear

Despite playing a starring role in Spain's Under 21s to victory at the European Championship in summer he has found regular first-team football hard to come by this season.

Hopes have be raised in the Gunners and Toffees' camps that he could be obtainable as a result.