The Belgium international, who made the move from Sunderland to Merseyside at the end of June, is hoping to develop at Anfield

Simon Mignolet says he is relishing the challenge of taking a “big step forward” in his career with Liverpool.

The Belgian, who was the subject of a €11.5 million switch from Sunderland in June, is expected to compete with Pepe Reina for the number one spot at Anfield next season.

The 24-year-old shot-stopper is confident he will improve at the Merseyside club, and hopes to help Brendan Rodgers’ side push on next season and challenge for a top-four finish.

“For me it’s a big step forward and I’m very pleased to be training with the team for two weeks now. I spoke to the manager and he told me that it’s going to be a big step forward,” Mignolet told the club’s official website.

“We play the first game on Saturday and after that, with the more we do on tour, I’ll see how big a step forward it is for me. At the moment, it’s only training and I have to get used to the players and the way of playing. Once we get going I’ll know what it’s going to be like.

“When I came in for the first couple of training sessions, I saw that everybody is very hungry and ambitious to get going, everybody wants to take a step forward and push on into the top four.

“There’s big ambition around the club. I also noticed that from the conversations I had with the goalkeeping coach and the gaffer. I saw that they are very ambitious, want to get forward, winning trophies and getting into the top four.”

Like Mignolet, Kolo Toure is among the four signings made by Rodgers since the opening of the transfer window, having arrived on a free transfer from Manchester City on July 1.

And, speaking at the pair’s official unveiling at the club’s Melwood training ground, the Ivorian expressed his delight over sealing a move to Anfield.

“For me, it’s an honour to play for Liverpool – this club are unbelievable,” said Toure.

“I’ve just been here for two weeks and I’ve seen a lot of fantastic things. I’m proud and I will give my best to this football club.

“When I had to decide, when I had the phone call from Liverpool, you can’t joke with that. It’s one of the biggest clubs in the Premier League. I was like, ‘wow’.”

Arsene Wenger’s main focus has now switched to the controversial Liverpool forward, as the Gunners continue to struggle to agree a fee with Real Madrid for Gonzalo Higuain

EXCLUSIVE
By Wayne Veysey | UK correspondent

Arsenal are preparing a €40.7 million offer for wantaway Liverpool striker Luis Suarez.

The Gunners will make a concerted push to sign the Uruguay international after contacting the Merseyside club last week about his availability.

There were reports on Monday that Arsenal had made a €34.9m bid for Suarez but the the north London outfit are ready to pay up to €40.7m for the Reds attacker.

It is understood that Arsene Wenger has switched his main focus to capturing Suarez because Arsenal are still struggling to agree a fee with Real Madrid for Gonzalo Higuain.

The Gunners do not anticipate making any signings before they depart for their pre-season tour of Asia on Thursday, but they are actively trying recruit a marquee striker.

Suarez is regarded by Wenger as an upgrade on Higuain, who came close to joining Arsenal at the end of last week after they made an improved offer of €26.9m.

However, Madrid are holding out for €29.7m for the Argentine, and, although Arsenal’s interest in Higuain is still alive and a deal has not been ruled out, Wenger has decided to explore other elite options.

With the biggest transfer kitty in Arsenal’s history available to him this summer, the Frenchman sanctioned the shock move for Suarez last week.

The Gunners’ enquiry was met with a ‘hands-off’ warning by Liverpool, who are fighting to hold on to a player who has spoken frequently this summer of his interest in a move, most specifically to Real Madrid.

Arsenal will now make a concerted push for Suarez after learning from the Uruguayan’s camp that he is interested in a move to the Emirates as he pursues his ambition of playing Champions League football next season.

In an interview given to the Uruguayan radio station Sport 890 on Tuesday, Suarez claimed that “two or three clubs” want to sign him and that he values interest from Arsenal.

He laughed off reported interest from Chelsea but admitted he is prepared to interrupt a holiday in his native Uruguay should a potential transfer develop.

“Are there any concrete options? No, so far there hasn’t been any. There are two or three clubs who I think are willing and the club knows that.

“I have to present myself on the July 21 with Liverpool for their tour of Australia but no one knows what could happen. I’ve already said what I have to say, and initially I have to be there on July 21 but maybe a phone call one day can change all your plans.

“For now everything is going well. I am very calm but initially I am meant to present myself on July 21 but, like I said, no one knows what can happen.”

There is understood to be a clause in Suarez’s contract that allows him to ask for permission to speak to other clubs if they make a €46.5m offer. However, Liverpool are believed to want €58m for their prize asset.

Intriguingly, Suarez’s stance on wishing to leave England has appeared to have softened in the wake of the interest from Arsenal and the absence of an official move from Madrid.

“I have to value that; despite everything that’s happened, [English] clubs still value players for what they can do on the field,” he said.

“That makes me think that I can come back and do well over there. It’s good that the English clubs still want me.”

Wenger plans to use a warchest of up to €116m to make at least two marquee signings this summer, most likely in the striker and central midfield positions.

Follow Wayne Veysey on

We run through the latest talking points in world football and which stars could be on the move this summer

This week’s episode of Transfer Talk looks at the latest developments in the will he/won’t he Luis Suarez saga, with Arsenal the latest club to quiz Liverpool on the striker’s availability.

With David Villa opting for Atletico Madrid, and Champions League football, over Tottenham, what’s next for Andre Villas-Boas? And could wantaway Christian Benteke really be the man for Chelsea, with Edinson Cavani heading to Paris?

To discuss these and all the other rumours and whispers, Matt Lorenzo is joined by Goal‘s Greg Stobart and former Liverpool and England striker Emile Heskey as we go through the latest talk from the transfer market.

Remember, to pose a question to next week’s panel, leave your comment below, or Tweet us by using the hashtag, #askgoal