Arsenal have “started contacts” about signing Athletic Bilbao centre-back Unai Nunez at the end of the season, according to AS.

The Madrid based publication claims that the Gunners, along with Inter Milan and Bayern Munich, are keen on the 23-year-old, with the player’s release clause currently set at €30m (£26m).

Reims defender Axel Disasi is apparently Arsenal’s main priority at the moment, but Nunez is being monitored as a potential alternative.

Bilbao are said to be looking to offer a new contract in order to increase the defender’s buyout clause, and while the Spanish international is said to be ready to consider a new deal, he is also open to new challenges.

The Gunners have been consistently linked with Nunez for a few months, but there have been conflicting reports over whether the London club are actively looking for a new centre-half.

Some suggest that signing Pablo Mari on a permanent basis is Arsenal’s top objective, while others have claimed Disasi is the club’s main target.