Sunderland manager Paulo di Canio has promised swathes of changes at the Stadium of Light this summer but but has assured supporters that goalkeeper Simon Mignolet is not for sale despite interest from Arsenal.

The Black Cats finished in 17<sup>th in the Premier League; just three points above the drop zone after picking up just eight points from last seven games after Di Canio succeeded Martin O'Neill, who was sacked in March.

Di Canio has already paved the way for several departures in the north east after choosing to fine several of players including defender Phil Bardsley, who missed the final day defeat to Tottenham Hotspur after being pictured in a casino.

Simon Mignolet
Mignolet is not part of Di Canio's fire-sale this summer.

The club are set to make FC Basel defensive midfielder player Cabral their first addition of the summer, but Di Canio insists further new faces are required to improve the club's fortunes after a campaign riddled with fear of relegation.

"It is clear that we have to bring in players over the summer - half a dozen, maybe more," Di Canio told the Sunderland Echo.

"We finished near the relegation zone, and so it is obvious that we need to make changes to make sure that we are not in this situation next season.

"But at the same time we already have some quality players here, and I want them to stay.

"I want to build something here at Sunderland and take the club forward - that is my mission. So the last thing I want to do is to let any of our quality players leave.

"Simon is a top class goalkeeper. He's very important to us."

With 11 clean sheets in the Premier League this season for a struggling side, Mignolet is regarded among the best 'keepers in the top flight and has consistently been linked with solving Arsene Wenger's goalkeeping dilemma at Arsenal.

Wojciech Szczesny, Vito Mannone and Lukasz Fabianski have all featured in the league this season due to injury and loss of form, and Wenger will be keen to give the position fresh continuity next season in order to assist in ending Arsenal's wait for a major trophy.

The Belgian Mignolet has been consistently linked with a move to Arsenal as he seeks to cement his place in the squad for the World Cup in 2014, with The Gunners understood to be prepping a £10m for his signature.