Sunderland face a fight to keep hold of keeper Simon Mignolet in the summer with Arsenal preparing an official bid for the player, according to the Independent.

The Gunners have been watching the 25-year-old on a regular basis for the past season and his consistent performances have apparently led Arsene Wenger to believe he is the man to become the new number one at the Emirates.

New Sunderland boss Paolo Di Canio will not want to lose the Belgium international who has proved himself time and time again for the Black Cats since signing for just £2m from Sint-Truiden three years ago.

Wenger is set to offer in the region of £10m for the player, whose agent said recently that he would have to move to a bigger club if he wanted to get back to becoming first choice for his country - although those claims were later denied, they will not have gone unnoticed elsewhere.

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