Arsenal are ready to make a summer bid for Sunderland goalkeeper Simon Mignolet, as Arsene Wenger looks to stabilize his goalkeeping position for next season.
The Gunners have made buying a goalkeeper one of their priorities for the new season, with several names, including Rene Adler, Asmir Begovic and Victor Valdes being linked with a move to the Emirates.
Mignolet is having an outstanding season with Sunderland, and has been their standout player. Arsenal value the 25-year-old at around £10 million ($15 million), and the Belgian international will reportedly jump at the chance of a move as he tries to win back his place from Thibaut Courtois in the international setup.
Wojciech Szczesny has been far from convincing this season, which led to him being dropped by Wenger. Lukasz Fabianski has shown some good form since coming in for Szczesny, but is not seen as a long-term candidate, and will most likely leave at the end of the season, particularly if Arsenal bring a new goalkeeper in.
Another goalkeeper who has been linked with Arsenal is Rui Patricio of Sporting Lisbon. The Portuguese international, who like Mignolet is also 25, has caught the attention of several big clubs in Europe, which has led to Sporting slapping a £13 million ($20 million) price tag on their goalkeeper, according to A Bola.
So, it remains to be seen which player Wenger goes for, with the likes of Adler expected to come at a much lesser price.
Apart from the goalkeeping situation, Arsenal also need to strengthen in three key areas - central defence, defensive midfield and striking position.
Sebastien Squilacci will leave at the end of the season when his contract expires, while Johan Djourou is also likely to seal a permanent move. That would leave Arsenal with only three senior central defenders in Per Mertesacker, Laurent Koscielny and Thomas Vermaelen.
Unless Wenger believes one of his reserve team members is ready to step up, it is likely that the manager will delve into the market for a new defender.
Arsenal have also lacked a proper defensive midfield presence this season, which has left the back-four a little exposed at times. Victor Wanyama and Etienne Capoue look like the most likely candidates.
Among the strikers, Arsenal have been heavily linked with a move for Stevan Jovetic of Fiorentina, while interest still remains in David Villa.
Robert Lewandowski of Borussia Dortmund is the more unlikely option, but would be the perfect addition to the Arsenal squad.
