Arsenal Preparing January Bid For German Midfielder But Man Utd Also Keen

Despite the summer transfer window being closed there is still plenty of gossip in the newspapers, so we’ll keep you up to date on all the latest transfer news. Today,  Arsenal and Man Utd are linked with Lars Bender.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is lining-up an improved bid for Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Lars Bender this January but could face stiff competition from Manchester United, according to the Daily Mail.

The Gunners tracked the German international all summer and had an £18.5m offer rejected by Leverkusen, with the Bundesliga outfit under no pressure to sell after securing Champions League football this season while their coffers were also boosted by the sales of Andre Schurrle to Chelsea and Dani Carvajal to Real Madrid.

But it seems Wenger has not given up hope of luring the 24-year-old to the Emirates and the Mail claim the Premier League leaders are prepared to test Leverkusen’s resolve with an improved offer when the transfer window opens this January.

The newspaper suggests that Wenger is keen to find a long-term replacement for 31-year-old Mikel Arteta and Bender’s German team mate, Mesut Ozil, has apparently told his new boss that the midfielder would be an excellent addition at the club.

However, the Gunners will not get their man without a fight with the Mail claiming that defending Premier League champions Manchester United are also monitoring Bender and could challenge for his signature this winter, but both clubs will have to dig deep as Leveruksen are likely to demand well in excess of £20m for their star man.

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