Reports linking the Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Lars Bender to Arsenal have surfaced with Arsene Wenger now prepared to make his move for the player according to The Sun newspaper.
The move for Bender appears to have been sparked by the likelihood of Morgan Schneiderlin signing for Manchester United says a further report in the Independent. The 26-year-old German has been with Bayer Leverkusen since 2009, making 163 league appearances. Bender can play in a central or defensive midfield role but Wenger is interested in bringing in a player to provide further strength to the teams defensive credentials says the report.
Lars Bender has a contract with the Bundesliga club who finished fourth and qualified for the Champions league until 2019. The player made 26 appearances for Leverkusen in the 2014-15 season making him one of the most active and effective in the league.
Lars Bender has been linked with a number of Premier League clubs, including Man United, City and Liverpool but it seems that Wenger is now compelled to act and make an £18m bid for the player. The development of Francis Coquelin in the holding midfield position has not altered Wenger’s plans to get another in the summer. Bender is seen as an ideal candidate having made valuable interceptions and blocks for Leverkusen.
The report also links the Gunners with a number of alternative candidates such as Monaco’s Geoffery Kondogbia and Victor Wanayama from Southampton.
Source: DSG
