Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers is reportedly preparing a £6.5m bid for Sunderland goalkeeper Simon Mignolet.

The Reds' current keeper Pepe Reina has been linked with a move away from the club this summer.

According to The Mirror, Rodgers has identified Mignolet as the man to replace the Spaniard. Liverpool have also been linked with Stoke City's Asmir Begovic, but have decided that Mignolet is their number one target.

Rodgers has apparently been given the green light by the club's hierarchy to make a formal bid, and the Liverpool manager has a backup plan should Sunderland reject the offer.

He will attempt to sign Real Madrid's Diego Lopez, who is likely to be replaced as number one by Iker Casillas following Jose Mourinho's exit.

Mignolet is Rodger's preferred choice, though, and he will await Sunderland's response in the coming weeks.