Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger, has identified Bayern Leverkusen defensive midfielder, Lars Bender, as his priority target in the summer transfer window.
It is said that Wenger likes Bender’s physical presence as well as his overall technical ability, and wants a midfielder to strengthen Arsenal’s midfield options next year.
Lars, the brother of Borussia Dortmund midfielder Sven Bender, caught the eye of Arsenal last summer but Bayern Leverkusen were reluctant to sell. With previous target Ilkay Gundogan recently signing a contract extension at Dortmund, The Gunners see Bender as their main focus this summer window.
Arsenal believe they will have to pay up to £20 million for the player, who would be seen as the ideal replacement for Spanish midfielder Arteta, who has one year left on his contract.
By Ollie Brown