Everton are in drastic need of a new central defender as injuries have already started to pile up at Goodison Park and one reported transfer target could be the solution...

What's the word?

According to Mundo Deportivo, the Toffees are one the teams to sound out Athletic Bilbao centre-back Unai Nunez over a potential move this summer.

They claim that the 23-year-old is considering a loan switch to the Premier League having only played a bit-part role in La Liga last season.

He still has three years to run on his current contract at the Basque club and also has a €30m (£27.4m) release clause.

Urgent need

Carlo Ancelotti is going to need a defensive addition before next month's deadline if they are to truly contend for a European place this campaign.

Mason Holgate has been ruled out for several weeks and now young prospect Jarrad Branthwaite has joined him on the sidelines. Even Yerry Mina has had his injury troubles since arriving in 2018.

It means the Italian can only really call upon Michael Keane for consistency, which could prove to be a gamble as the season goes on.

Nunez very much fits the bill of your typical modern-day ball-playing centre-back, so he'd be an interesting prospect at Goodison Park.

During his Bilbao career, he has averaged 4.3 clearances, 1.7 interceptions, 1.6 tackles and a passing success rate above 83.4%, via WhoScored.

He's twice silenced Real Madrid, one of which was in 2017 with the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema failing to score against the 6 foot 1 colossus. Nunez recorded six clearances, three interceptions and only lost possession five times, per SofaScore.

This is one emerging issue that quickly needs a solution and with Nunez lacking regular gametime, it could be a win-win for all parties involved.

AND in other news, Summer deal for Toffees star with "no quality" has been one costly catastrophe...