Arsenal facing Bender battle as Draxler interest cools #CarryGobySeanKellz #FutureGroupNG via @myentertain9jar

ARSENAL face an uphill battle to convince Bayer Leverkusen to sell them Lars Bender this summer after moving on from Julian Draxler.

Lars Bender has been touted as a replacement for Mikel Arteta[GETTY]

Bender has been heavily linked with a move to the Emirates this summer as a replacement for Mikel Arteta.

But reports in Germany suggest that Leverkusen are reluctant to sell.

Leverkusen enjoy financial security thanks to the backing of the Bayer pharmaceutical company and Sky Germany pundit Jan Aage Fjortoft has claimed that the Bundesliga side are tempted to tell the Gunners that Bender is simply not for sale.

This is particularly the case as Leverkusen begin the search for a new coach following Sami Hyypia's departure in April.

 

Leverkusen don't want to sell Lars Bender

The club are thought to believe their ability to bring in the right man to replace Hyypia could be compromised if there is a chance they could sell their best players.

Fjortoft also claims that Arsenal have cooled their interest in Julian Draxler with the youngster now more likely to join Bayern Munich next season.

The Gunners were interested in bringing Draxler to England in January, but failed to persuade Schalke to part with the midfielder.

However, Draxler's form has dropped off in the latter part of this season and that has Arsenal considering whether the massive outlay required to sign the German might be better spent elsewhere.