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Arsenal Set To Table £17m Midfielder Bid – Report

By on April 27, 2014

Arsenal are set to table a £17m bid for Lars Bender with Arsene Wenger viewing the Bayer Leverkusen midfielder as the ideal replacement for Mikel Arteta, according to reports.

We were strongly linked with a move for Bender last summer and reportedly had a £15m bid rejected, after Leverkusen insisted he stayed at least one more year.

The boss and his scouts have continued to monitor his progress this campaign and the Metro claim we will try our luck again at the end of the season with an improved £17m offer.

Arsene all-but confirmed he’ll be staying for another two years while working with French TV on Friday night and he’s set to be handed a £70m transfer kitty this summer. A long-term replacement for Mikel Arteta is on the agenda and it appears Bender is now our top target.

The 24-year-old has impressed this season at the heart of the Leverkusen midfield but we could face competition from the likes of Real Madrid and Manchester United – who have also been credited with interest.

I certainly hope these reports are accurate as Bender would be an excellent addition. There is little doubt that Arteta has struggled at times this season and his lack of pace has been a problem – particularly in the big games – so a younger, more athletic ball-winner is required this summer.

If we can’t get our hands on Bender then Southampton’s Morgan Schneiderlin would be my next option. The Frenchman has been superb over the past 24 months and not only should he cost less than Bender, he also has vital Premier League experience that will mean he shouldn’t have any adaptation time.

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