Arsenal are set to make a move for Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Lars Bender. The deal to bring Bender to London would cost an estimated £18 million, which is a reasonable sum for an experienced German international.

Arsene Wenger’s interest in the German midfielder goes way back. Now 26, Bender has made nearly 20 appearances for Germany, along with over 150 for Leverkusen. Wenger has scouted various defensive midfielders in an attempt to help protect the defence for some time. Frenchman such as Kondogbia and Morgan Schneiderlin were widely touted for moves to the Emirates, but these rumours have since died down. Now it seems Lars Bender is the man to contend with Francis Coquelin for the holding midfield role.

Bender has been previously liked with a move to Liverpool, but he is expected to chose Arsenal over the Merseyside club to ensure Champions League football. Should he join, he would join up with a flurry of fellow German internationals already in the squad. Players such as Per Mertesacker and Mesut Ozil are regular first teamers, while Lukas Podolski could still play a part at Arsenal.

Leverkusen are able to sell Bender this summer as they have cover in the shape of Christoph Kramer. Kramer was sent on loan to Borussia Moenchengladbach last season and he is thought to make his mark on the Leverkusen first team next season, leaving them free to sell Bender.

It is likely Wenger will move for Bender, and it’s no surprise why. He would bring so much versatility into the midfield and protect the back-line as good as any other deep lying midfielder would.