Arsenal Preparing Improved Offer For German International

The January transfer window may have slammed shut but clubs will still be working hard behind the scenes at identifying targets for the summer, so we’ll bring you all the latest news, gossip and rumours. Today, Gooner Mac brings us news of Arsenal renewing their interest in Lars Bender.

Arsenal are lining-up an improved offer for Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Lars Bender after failing with a £19m bid last summer, according to the Daily Mail.

The report claims that Arsene Wenger has upped his scouting of the German international over the past year with chief scout Steve Rowley understood to be hugely impressed with his displays in the Bundesliga.

I’m sure many Gunners’ fans will remember it was widely reported last summer that we saw a £19m offer rejected by Leverkusen but it seems Arsene hasn’t given up hope of bringing him to the Emirates and is ready to renew his interest at the end of the season.

The Mail suggests that the boss is hoping to persuade the German outfit to finally cash-in by making an improved offer for the 24-year-old this summer as he looks to bring in a long-term replacement for Mikel Arteta.

The Spaniard turned 32 this week and has certainly been looking his age in recent months, particularly in the games against the big teams, and I think it’s important we sign an athletic, ball-winning, defensive midfielder at the end of the season.

Bender would be an excellent addition and he’s not only capable of doing the ‘dirty work’ in front of the back four, but he’s also comfortable on the ball and has a physical presence about him. I would personally love to see Bender playing alongside Aaron Ramsey next season as they have the potential to be a superb partnership.

Whether we’ll be able to strike a deal with Leverkusen remains to be seen though, and the Mail claim that Arsene is also lining up back-up options with Southampton’s Morgan Schneiderlin and Borussia Dortmund’s Ilkay Gundogan both also under consideration – although it’s acknowledged that Dortmund man may be difficult to obtain.

READ: Sagna to stay in the Premier League

Which midfielder would you like to see join the club this summer? Share your views below…