The Gunners are interested in signing Germany international Lars Bender, according to reports
The Bayer Leverkusen man would cost £18million should he move to the Emirates, according to the Mirror.
Arsenal scouts were believed to be looking at the 26-year-old during Leverkusen’s 1-0 defeat to Lazio in a Champions League playoff match last week.
Bender is believed to be the ideal replacement for Mathieu Flamini according to Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, who has reportedly told Flamini he is surplus to requirements.
The 31-year-old has been linked with a move to Turkish side Galatasaray along with Ligue 1 club Bastia with his contract set to expire in the next 12 months.
Should Wenger make a late move for Bender it would take Arsenal’s spending this summer to around £30million, after spending just £10million to sign goalkeeper Petr Cech from Chelsea.
Arsenal close on Benzema
Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema could be unveiled as an Arsenal player before tonight’s match against Liverpool, according to Italian journalist Emanuele Giulianelli.
The football writer who regularly contributes to FourFourTwo, FIFA Weekly and Radio Yorkshire claimed the France international was due for a medical at the Emirates on Monday afternoon.
“He will have a medical Monday early afternoon and be confirmed just before kick-off. He will stay in 5 stars hotel London centre” tweeted Giulianelli.
Manchester United are also thought to long-term admirers of the former Lyon striker and could try to hijack the move if Madrid are willing to sell.
Written by Jack Wynne – @JackRobertWynne
