Report: Mignolet Edges Closer To Exit

Sunderland's three year love affair with Belgian goalkeeper Simon Mignolet is drawing to an imminent end it seems, with Graeme Anderson of the Sunderland Echo reporting that Liverpool and Brendan Rodgers are drawing ever closer to agreeing a fee for the Wearsiders' Player of the Year last season.

Rumours about Liverpool's interest in Mignolet surfaced a few weeks ago, and this latest news confirms that the Reds' interest in the Sunderland stopper is concrete.

Anderson has this morning confirmed that Rodgers and the Liverpool board initially tabled a £6.5m bid that was dismissed out of hand by Sunderland. A follow-up bid of £8m was also rejected.

But now, with it becoming ever more clear that Mignolet himself senses a move would be best for his career, and Liverpool's offers rising, it appears that the Belgians days on Wearside are numbered.

With Rodgers ready to offer £9m now, it has been suggested that Sunderland will hold out for £10m - then sell. It seems only a matter of time.

Plenty may be dismayed at the fee - a large portion feel nothing less than £15m for such an important player would suffice - yet selling Mignolet for £10m would still represent a 400% profit on the player Steve Bruce signed for £2m from Sint-Truiden in 2010.

One glimmer of hope is that the sale of Mignolet will likely see Keiren Westwood step into the fray. Westwood is held in high regard and will feel the need to prove himself after a long spell on the Stadium of Light sidelines.