Arsenal are preparing a bid for Bayer Leverkusen's midfield enforcer Lars Bender.
The Daily Express says Arsenal had a £19m bid rejected out-of-hand by the Bundesliga club last summer, with Bender subsequently penning a new deal.
However, the Gunners have maintained a watching brief this past season and will try again this month to convince Bayer to sell.
Bender would act as a long-term replacement for the ageing Mikel Arteta, who is said to be too lightweight by some Arsenal fans.
