It feels like each day there’s now Spanish articles about the future of Unai Nunez, and in nearly every one West Ham get a mention.
During the winter market there were claims the Hammers either wanted to pay, or were considering paying, the player’s €30m release clause at Athletic Club Bilbao. His deal with the Basque club runs until June 2023, and it’s unlikely they’d sell him for less, given their self-imposed restrictions on recruitment.
Athletic would like to give the 23 year old a new deal, certainly with a higher clause. He’s resisting, and despite the window having been closed less than a week there’s already talk of a potential summer exit, with West Ham being dragged into that.
There’s a very good chance the Premier League club, and others said to be keen, are being used in a contract stand-off with Athletic. Nunez has only started 32% of the club’s La Liga matches so far this season, and wants more minutes.
Without those matches, he doesn’t want to renew and La Razon report he’s rejected several offers to do so.
West Ham and Bayern Munich get a mention as clubs who could pay the €30m, so if Athletic want to keep their player happy, and persuade him to sign a new deal, they’ll need to give him more minutes.
Until he’s a regular starter these claims will continue.
