Arsenal are calculating a January bid for Sunderland goalkeeper Simon Mignolet, to give Arsene Wenger the back-up he needs.
First-choice at the Emirates, Wojciech Szczesny, is still one of Wenger’s favourites, but the Gunners boss has lost confidence in bench-warmers Lukasz Fabianski and Vito Mannone.
Fabianski is free to seek a new club in January and while Mannone has presented competition for Szczesny, may opt to find first-team football elsewhere.
Wenger is believed to be prepared to lodge £5million for Mignolet, who is likely to be a more cost-effective target than preferred custodian, Liverpool’s Pepe Reina.
The Belgian has made 18 appearances this season, kept six clean sheets and is said to be a target for Chelsea.
Arsenal reserve stopper Damian Martinez has been singled out by Wenger as a key prospect and will be promoted to become the first team’s No 3, potentially creating a very attractive second-choice place.
Chief scout Steve Rowley has ruled out bidding for Wigan’s Ali Al-Habsi and Asmir Begovic of Stoke, on the grounds of their erratic and inconsistent performances.
