Will Bayer’s transfer U-turn see Arsenal sign Bender?
While some clubs with top quality defensive midfielders might be dreading the January transfer window, with Arsenal badly in need of cover for Francis Coquelin and Arsene Wenger sitting on a massive pile of cash for new signings, others may be rubbing their hands at the prospect of making some money off us.
One club that was previously in the former category is the Bundesliga outfit Bayer Leverkusen, as they has previously issued hands off warnings about their Germany international star Lars Bender. THey have him tied into a contract until 2019 so are under no real pressure to sell either.
But last week their chairman Michael Schade was reported in The Telegraph all but admitting that they were ready to sell, if the right club comes up with the right offer of course.
He said, “Bayer Leverkusen can’t be as arrogant to say that we are creating world stars and they will retire here.
“If we are able to create a world star or top player, then one day this player wants to play for one of the top [clubs in the world], of course.”
Great news for the Gunners, even if it is a surprise. Perhaps the German club’s struggles this season, which see them about to exit the Champions League while being down in 8th place and way off the pace in the domestic table. Will Wenger soon make Bender the third German in the Arsenal first team?
