Arsenal prepare bid for Lars Bender?

Arsenal have reportedly identified Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Lars Bender as a top transfer target ahead of the summer window.

The Gunners are believed to have been interested in Bender for a couple of seasons, but they will step up their chase for the 24-year-old at the end of the current campaign.

Manager Arsene Wenger sees the German as a possible long-term replacement for 31-year-old Mikel Arteta, according to the Daily Mail.

Despite placing Bender on top of their list of targets, Arsenal are also rumoured to be keeping an eye on Southampton's Morgan Schneiderlin and Borussia Dortmund's Ilkay Gundogan.