Arsenal line up bid for Sunderland goalkeeper Mignolet

Arsenal are said to be weighing up a January move for Sunderland star Simon Mignolet as manager Arsene Wenger mulls over his goalkeeping options.

Wenger remains a huge fan of first-choice keeper Wojciech Szczesny, but has lost confidence in deputies Lukasz Fabianski and Vito Mannone, and is planning a reshuffle.

Fabianski has already been told he can find a new club in the new year, while Italian Mannone is also hoping to leave, in a bid to earn regular playing time.

Both goalies have interest from several Italian clubs, and with Wenger hoping to move the pair on, attention is already turning to their replacements.

Wenger has already decided that Argentine prospect Damian Martinez will be promoted from the reserve team to number three, but he will turn to the transfer market for a top quality rival for Szczesny.

Liverpool stopper Pepe Reina is the preferred choice, but is likely to prove too expensive, while chief scout Steve Rowley has warned against bids for the inconsistent Ali Al-Habsi of Wigan, and Stoke’s Asmir Begovic.

Instead, Sunderland’s Belgian international Mignolet is an increasingly attractive option, and Arsenal are ready to keep close tabs on his progress over the busy Christmas schedule.

Mignolet has impressed for Sunderland following his switch from Sint-Truiden in 2010, and Wenger believed to be willing to commit £5million to do business.

The Belgian keeper is also said to be a target for Chelsea.

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Source: Metro