Lars Bender: 'I'm not looking to leave Bayer Leverkusen'

Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Lars Bender has insisted that he isn't ready to move to one of Europe's major clubs.

Bender has been linked with a move to Arsenal, but the Germany international, who is contracted to Leverkusen until 2019, doesn't envision signing for another club in the summer.

The 25-year-old is quoted by the Daily Mail as saying: "I signed my new contract until 2019, and that should have told everyone how happy I am at Leverkusen. I feel settled here and see no reason to change anything.

"In fact, if I am completely honest, I haven't had a brilliant season and don't feel ready yet to take on a pivotal role at a big club somewhere else.

"I need to keep working on my game, and I am going to do that here at Leverkusen. That suits me, and I am happy with that."

Bender has featured 34 times for Leverkusen during the current campaign.