Arsenal have sent scouts to watch Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Lars Bender, according to reports.
Bender has been a long-term target of the Gunners, with the North London club reportedly having a £18.5m bid turned down for the German international back in 2013.
It seems Arsenal are looking to make a second attempt to sign the 26-year-old, with Tuttomercatoweb reporting Gunners scouts were sent to Italy to run their eye over the player during Leverkusen’s 1-0 Champions League play-off loss to Lazio at the Stadio Olimpico midweek.
Bender plays primarily as a defensive midfielder and could play alongside Francis Coquelin or provide plenty of competition to the Frenchman.
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is reportedly keen to strengthen his midfield before the close of the summer transfer window, and Bender would come as a huge boost to the side’s title chances.
Bender has made 164 Bundesliga appearances for Bayer Leverkusen since joining the club from 1860 Munich in 2009.
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