Manchester United to hijack Arsenal deal for Lars Bender
LOUIS VAN GAAL has turned his attention to German Lars Bender to strengthen the Manchester United midfield after Kevin Strootman's injury scuppered their transfer plans.
Strootman has been heavily linked with United but injuries to his knee have prevented any deal with Roma being completed.
And the recurrence of knee problems for the Dutchman, means Van Gaal is eyeing up Bender, who has been on the radar of Arsenal and Arsene Wenger in recent transfer windows.
Lars Bender - Player Profile
According to the Sunday People, United sent their chief scout Jim Lawlor to Bayer Leverkusen's Champions League clash with Atletico Madrid and also had spies at their game with Freiburg in February.
Leverkusen could be open to selling Bender, 25, as they will be recalling Christoph Kramer, who is currently on loan at Borussia Moenchengladbach.
A bid of around £12million is thought to be enough to persuade Leverkusen to part with Bender.
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