Arsenal are closing in on a deal for Sunderland goalkeeper Simon Mignolet, according to the Daily Mirror. The Gunners are in pole position to land the 25-year-old and resolve the goalkeeping situation at the Emirates.

Should he be signed, Mignolet will be expected to put pressure on Polish international Wojciech Szczesny, who has not been in top form this season. He was dropped in favour of compatriot Lukasz Fabianski after Arsenal's 2-1 loss to Tottenham Hotspur in March.

Simon Mignolet (L)
Reuters

However, an injury to Fabianski allowed Szczesny to come back into the side and he retained his position till the end of the season, with some impressive performances.

Liverpool were also linked to the Belgian international but the Mirror believes they have since shifted their sights to Stoke City goalkeeper Asmir Begovic and Swansea City stopper Michel Vorm.

Begovic has been quoted as saying "I want to start preparing on July 10, with all the players of Liverpool". The Bosnian was also linked to the Gunners, with the Metro believing a £15m fee was quoted.

Sunderland manager Paolo Di Canio is keen to persuade Mignolet to extend his contract but with the Gunners able to provide Champions League football, the Italian knows he may not be able to hold on to his No 1.

Mignolet's arrival could see either Fabianski or, more likely, Italian Vito Mannone leave the club. a defensive restructuring is also on the cards, with Swansea's Ashley Williams expected to replace Belgian Thomas Vermaelen.

Jose Enrique on Premier League Top Four

Meanwhile, the Reds' left-back, Jose Enrique, believes the Anfield club's strong finish to the season will provide a platform to compete for Champions League football next season. The club finished seventh this season; they finished eighth last year.

"The top four has to be our target next season. It will be difficult as even with new managers the top clubs will spend a lot this summer to strengthen. But, to be honest, I don't think we have to worry about the rest, we just have to worry about ourselves. The reason we weren't in the top four this season isn't because of any other team, it's because of our own mistakes," he told the Liverpool Echo.