Leverkusen Reject Arsenal's Bid For Lars Bender

If reports in Germany are to be believed, Bundesliga club, Bayer Leverkusen, have turned down Arsenal’s £19.7million bid for midfielder Lars Bender. It appears that Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger had made another ambitious move for the summer, placing a £19.7million bid for the 24-year-old. Bender has shown great skill and promise in the centre of the midfield last season. He has earned huge appreciation for his game at the German club, following his transfer from 1860 Munich in 2009. His performance for the club has also helped him break into the German international team, having earned 14 caps so far. Lars’ twin from Borussia Dortmund, Sven, has also represented his national side. It is understood that Leverkusen, after having lost Andre Schurrle to Chelsea and Dani Carvajal to Real Madrid, are in no mood to let another key player to leave the club. Bender’s existing contract binds him to the club until 2017. German newspaper Express suggest that Arsene Wenger is keen on adding Lars to his squad where the German international could link up with his compatriot Lukas Podolski. But the German outfit are in no shortage of funds as they have already wrapped up a £20m transfer deal for Schurrle last month. Apparently they have made it clear that Bender is not for sale this summer.