Arsenal keen on Leverkusen duo

Arsenal are showing interest in Bayer Leverkusen midfielders Lars Bender and Christoph Kramer, the Daily Mail can reveal.

The Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is widely tipped to try and recruit a high-quality holding midfielder next summer and he appears to have several names on the hit-list.

While Saints star Morgan Schneiderlin continues to be followed, the Professor is also considering moves for Lars Bender and Christoph Kramer.

The two Germany internationals have been on the radar of Europe’s top sides for quite a while, and it remains to be seen whether they will be moving clubs in the summer.

Lars Bender, 25, is also reportedly a target for Barcelona, and he may soon be looking for a new challenge having spent last six years at Bay Arena.

Meanwhile, Christoph Kramer will return to Leverkusen in the summer when his loan deal with Borussia M’gladbach expires, but die Werkself face a tough task of warding off interest in his services.