Emirates Stadium side close in on impressive Bundesliga battler.
Arsenal are lining up a summer move for Bayer Leverkusen midfield maestro Lars Bender according to the Metro.
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The 25 year old had been strongly linked with a move to the Nou Camp but Barcelona’s FIFA transfer ban, which runs throughout 2015, has left the way clear for Arsene Wenger.
Despite the emergence of Francis Coquelin, who has been in superb form since being drafted in from his loan spell at Charlton Athletic, Arsenal could well do with a top quality defensive midfielder and Bender may well be the ideal candidate for the job.
This source claims Arsenal are closing on a move to capture Bender with the north London side ready to invest £22m in the German international.
Coquelin has slotted into the role in the centre of the park, offering much needed protection to Arsenal’s creative talents, and has subsequently shown up the shortcomings of both Mikel Arteta and Mathieu Flamini.
Bender is however a further improvement on Coquelin and may well be ready for a fresh challenge having represented Bayer Leverkusen six seasons.