Arsenal favourites to land £20 million midfield target

Bayer Leverkusen are battling to keep hold of Arsenal target Lars Bender.

Earlier, German newspaper Bild reported that it is just a rumour and there are no real intentions from the German club to sell Bender. Talking about the issue, Bayer Leverkusen’s general manager Michael Reschke insists that the Bundesliga club have no plans to let the 24-year-old leave.

“We have no intention to sell Lars,” Reschke told Kicker when asked about Bender. We are not willing to sell Lars. At the moment, we haven’t had an offer for him. Much more important is that Lars was not seriously injured yesterday.

However, Dailystar have reported that Arsenal are ahead of Manchester United in the battle to sign the midfielder. The Gunners targeted Bender during the summer transfer window but failed to land the German as their £18.5 million bid was rejected. It looks like Manchester United who failed in their pursuit of midfielders Fabregas, Strootman and Thiago Alcantara might move in for the 24-year old German International with Moyes under renewed pressure since their weekend.

Although it is difficult to say that Arsenal can land the midfielder, there seems to be a genuine interest from the Arsenal camp. Bender might be the perfect answer to Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta replacement and might prove to be effective when playing alongside the rejuvenated Aaron Ramsey.

Watch his performance against FC Kaiserslautern,