According to various British media reports, Arsenal are set to offer Bayer Leverkusen £17m for the services German midfielder Lars Bender.
It is believed that Arsene Wenger is set to be offered a whopping £70m transfer budget this summer to reshape this Gunners’ side which would challenge for the Premier League next season.
We had earlier reported that Arsenal were planning to make a fresh bid for the 24 year old after failing to land the Leverkusen star last summer. Wenger has identified Bender as a direct and long term replacement for Mikel Arteta in the summer.
Arteta, 32, has come under severe criticism over the last few months, squandering possession and the inability of making tackles playing as the anchorman in the middle of the park. The former Everton man hasn’t been at the peak of his ability and there are claims that the Spaniard isn’t a top four player for his side.
Bender fits the bill perfectly for what Wenger is looking for. The Leverkusen man has good passing accuracy passing but it is his ability to make well timed challenges and break opposition attacks in the midfield that will help Arsenal next season.
Other reports have also claimed that there are a host of clubs eyeing for Bender’s signature, including Real Madrid and Manchester United but as of now the Gunners are in pole position to sign the German midfield sensation.
Add Sportslens to your Google News Feed!
