Mignolet cool on transfer talk

Sunderland keeper Simon Mignolet says that he is ignoring the transfer talk and only focusing on his job at the Stadium of Light.

The Belgian has beaten off competition from Kieran Westwood and Craig Gordon to become Sunderland’s number one and he has started to attract attention of top English sides.

Mignolet, who is set to be named North-East Footballer of the Year, has seen his name linked with Manchester United and Arsenal among other clubs.

The 23-year-old claims he is not getting distracted by the transfer speculation, but rather giving his best to help Sunderland improve their league position.

“The only thing I can do is focus on my own game. All those clubs I am linked with, if I make a mistake on Saturday, I will be un- linked straight away,” the Belgian was quoted as saying in The Sun.

“It will be the exact opposite and that’s why I don’t really get fussed about it.”

Mignolet arrived at the Stadium of Light in a low-profile move from Saint Truiden in the summer of 2010, but he quickly managed to earn a starting berth at Sunderland.

Since joining the Black Cats, he has made a total of 78 Premier League appearances for the club and is predicted a bright future in England’s top flight.