Lars Bender could be set to join Arsenal in a £22m deal (Picture: Getty Images)

Arsenal are set to take advantage of Barcelona’s transfer ban by signing one of the Spanish club’s key targets this summer.

The Gunners will move for Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Lars Bender at the end of the season while the Catalan club are prevented from bringing in new players.

Barcelona are unable to sign anyone until 2016 after being punished for breaking Fifa rules on the transfer of players aged under-18.

And Spanish media outlet Mundo Deportivo say Arsene Wenger is set to take advantage of the situation by beating Barca to the signature of Bender.


The 25-year-old, who is the twin brother of Borussia Dortmund star Sven, plays in defensive midfield – a key position Arsenal are looking to strengthen in the summer.



The report claims Wenger is willing to pay up to £22million to bring the player to London.

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