Sunderland keeper Simon Mignolet has emerged as a leading candidate for a move to Liverpool, ESPN understands.

Liverpool are still considering a number of goalkeeping options with Belgium international Mignolet, 25, understood to be high on their list, ahead of other candidates, including Stoke's Asmir Begovic and Reading's Alex McCarthy.

At this stage, though, Liverpool have not made an approach for Mignolet, whose impressive form in 2012-13 saw him named Sunderland's player of the season.

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers remains keen to freshen up his squad over the summer, although speculation linking the club with a move for Reading defender Alex Pearce is wide of the mark.

Rodgers, who has brought in centre-back Kolo Toure on a free transfer from Manchester City, is hoping to complete a £7.7 million deal for Celta Vigo striker Iago Aspas, 25, over the coming days.

Source: ESPN