Barca join Bender race

Arsenal are set to face competition from Barcelona in the race to sign Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Lars Bender, according to the Express.

Arsene Wenger has been repeatedly linked with a move for the Germany international over the past few seasons, and has renewed his interest after missing out of Real Madrid’s Sami Kherdira.

However, with legendary Barca midfielder legend Xavi coming towards the end of his career, Luis Enrique is set to throw his hat into the ring.

Bender, whose twin brother Sven plays for Borussia Dortmund, has made one hundred and eighty appearances and scored fifteen goals for Leverkusen since signing from 1860 Munich in the summer of 2009.

Internationally he has won nineteen caps for his country, but was not part of the squad that won the World Cup in Brazil this summer.

Arsenal host Manchester United on Saturday afternoon and can be backed at 6/5 to take all three points.