Espanyol seal Unai Núñez deal from Celta

Unai Núñez is set to become Espanyol's new signing from Celta, pending official confirmation this Thursday. The 29-year-old Basque centre-back is already in Barcelona, according to Mundo Deportivo.

The deal is structured as a loan with a €3m purchase option. The twist: the option becomes mandatory should Espanyol qualify for European football. The Catalan club will cover more than half the player's wages, one of Celta's highest earners.

Monchi has beaten off competition from Rayo Vallecano, Valencia, Sevilla, Alavés and Osasuna to land the centre-back. Núñez arrives with nearly 200 top-flight appearances under his belt, including 13 in the second half of last season on loan at Valencia, where he reinforced the defence after Diakhaby's injury. He's ready to make his debut against Levante next Sunday.