Arsenal Firm Up Interest In £10m Belgian As Move Nears - Report
Arsene Wenger is set to make an offer worth £10 million for Simon Mignolet, as Wojciech Szczesny fails to impress
Arsenal are set to make an official move for Sunderland keeper Simon Mignolet, according to reports across England today, with the north London club willing to offer up to £10 million to land the likely replacement for Wojciech Szczesny at the end of the season.
Szczesny has suffered from injury setbacks this season, but the Poland international hasn't recovered with the vigour that Arsene Wenger might have hoped for, and as a result he has been left on the bench in favour of Lukasz Fabianski before being recalled for the Premier League draw with Everton.
The Pole's father came out in defence of his son recently, blaming Wenger's tactics rather than the keeper for Arsenal's poor performances, but Szczesny in turn denied he had any problems at Arsenal and said he would see out his contract if the Frenchman was happy to keep him.
But the Independent now reports that the manager has had enough of Szczesny failing to deliver, and will offer £10 million to sign Mignolet from Sunderland in the summer, with Arsenal scouts having watched the Belgian on many occasions this season.
The Belgium international's agent, Guy Vandermissen, recently admitted that he is hoping for a move to a big club, as he looks to push for the number one spot on his national team, which currently belongs to Thibaut Courtois.
While Mignolet's performances for Sunderland have seen him keep 10 clean sheets in the league, the club are currently in a relegation battle while Courtois' side Atletico Madrid currently sit third in the La Liga table and are set for Champions League football next season.
"Our ambition is for Simon to play somewhere that he can engage in competition with Thibaut," Vandermissen explained.
Arsenal reportedly have more money to spend this summer than in recent transfer windows, with Arsene Wenger being handed a budget believed to be around £70 million.
How he will spend that money depends on where the Gunners finish in the table this season. The goalless draw with Everton last night has put the club on shaky ground in third place, with both Chelsea and Tottenham sitting just two points behind them, each with games in hand.
The addition of Mignolet would be a rare purchase from Wenger of a player who already possesses Premier League experience; a factor that could serve as a major bonus for the squad if he can slot in quickly at The Emirates Stadium and provide greater stability than any of Arsenal's current goalkeepers.
© Copyright IBTimes 2024. All rights reserved.