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Manchester City have identified German enforcer Lars Bender as an alternative to Paul Pogba if they fail to land the French midfielder.

Pogba, 22, is City’s top target this summer and the Blues are prepared to go all the way for the Juventus star in a bidding war with several of Europe’s top clubs which could hit £70million.

But the Etihad hierarchy are aware of suggestions that Pogba may stay in Turin for another year so that he can get a dream move to Barcelona once the Catalan club’s transfer ban has been lifted.

And that has prompted City to look at Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Bender. The 26-year-old has attracted interest from both Arsenal and Manchester United in recent years.

And Louis van Gaal’s need for a top-class defensive midfielder prompted more admiring glances from Old Trafford last season.

(Image: Getty)

But City’s need is just as great and they have watched Bender constantly over the last six months. The £25million asking price is not putting them off.

Leverkusen will not want to sell one of their best players, especially as they could face United in a Champions League qualifier.

But despite qualifying regularly for Europe’s top competition, the club are known as ‘Neverkusen’ in Germany because of their failure to win trophies.

(Image: Alex Grimm)

Bender missed Germany’s World Cup triumph last summer when he suffered a thigh injury that ruled him out of the squad.

And City will offer him huge wages as well as the chance to challenge for the top honours.