Mannone reportedly close to Sunderland move

Vito Mannone is set to join Sunderland in the coming days after the two clubs reportedly agreed a fee for the Italian goalkeeper.

Peter Fraser, a Sky Sports reporter gave the following update on the possible deal earlier today:

"“Sunderland and Arsenal, I understand, have agreed a fee. The player is expected to arrive on Wearside early next week to join his new team-mates.” Peter Fraser on a Vito Mannone possibly joining Sunderland"

Mannone has been at Arsenal since he joined from Italian club Atalanta in the summer of 2005. During his time at the club he has had a couple of spells in the first-team, most recently at the beginning of the 2012/13 season.

He has always been a backup keeper and never really got a long spell as the number 1 keeper, he was only there due to injuries mostly. Perhaps the most memorable display by Mannone was in the 2009/10 season where a man of the match performance from him helped Arsenal keep hold of their 1-0 lead away at Fulham.

The Italian has had loan spells away from the club during his 8 year stay. In 2006 he had a loan spell at Barnsley that was cut short by injury and he has had two separate spells on loan to Hull City as well.

With Sunderland recently selling first-choice goalkeeper Simon Mignolet to Liverpool, this move makes sense. Add to this that Paolo Di Canio is manager at Sunderland and it makes even more sense. An Italian manager bringing an Italian goalkeeper in and giving him a chance.

I believe that Mannone showed glimpses of his potential both in 2009/10 and at the start of last season. He put in some good performances at difficult grounds to go to. He played at Stoke away and kept a clean sheet, Liverpool away and kept a clean sheet and also away to Man City and the Gunners drew 1-1.

Equally, there have been some moments where he has made some mistakes too. Having said that, for a goalkeeper of his age, he has very little football under his belt due to being third choice for a long period of time at Arsenal. I believe if he gets regular games at Sunderland and in the Premier League, he could improve a lot in the coming years.

This move hasn’t happened yet, but it does appear to be pretty close. If the deal does go through, I was Vito nothing but the best in the future and I hope he develops into a fine Premier League goalkeeper.

Vito Mannone is reportedly set to join Sunderland.