Sunderland close in on Mignolet

The Metro understand that Liverpool are edging closer to signing Sunderland goalkeeper Simon Mignolet, following reports that a fee of £10 million is to be agreed between the clubs.

The Reds have been linked with the Belgian international for some months, following doubt over the future of current number one Pepe Reina, who has been linked with a move back to Barcelona.

The club had been linked with a move for Stoke City shot stopper Asmir Begovic, though he has since expressed a desire to remain at the Britannia Stadium.

It is thought that Mignolet will be offered a four year deal worth £45,000 per week once he returns from his holiday.

Should he arrive on Merseyside, there would be an opportunity for Reina to complete his move away from Anfield, though he has stressed that his intention is to remain at the club he joined from Villareal in 2005.

Meanwhile, the Reds are confident that they will complete the signing of Spanish forward Iago Aspas, despite reports that the deal has been blocked by the Spanish Football Federation.

A Liverpool spokesperson has insisted that the deal will be finalised following “complication with the paperwork”, which arose after managing director Ian Ayre had reportedly been dealing with unauthorised agents.