Arsenal “have been in contact” with Borussia Dortmund midfielder Sven Bender about the possibility of him heading to north London, reported by Bild (h/t Lewis Rudd for Metro.co.uk).

The Gunners’ alleged interest comes after Tottenham Hotspur and Southampton were linked with the £20 million-rated German, reported by the Daily Mail (h/t Izzy Horsefield of the Express).

Bender was linked with an Emirates Stadium switch as the summer transfer window loomed last year. He missed much of the 2014-15 season after undergoing knee surgery in January, accumulating just 14 Bundesliga starts during Dortmund’s struggled run to seventh.

Sven, like his twin brother Lars, would be able to provide an effective defensive shield for Arsenal. He is a determined winner of the ball, providing 2.5 tackles and 2.7 interceptions per game last season, recorded by WhoScored.com. He’s also dominant in the air and confident in progressing possession while patrolling the halfway line.

In January, former Liverpool and Germany midfielder Dietmar Hamman suggested either Bender sibling would significantly improve Arsenal’s play, reported by Simon Mullock of the Mirror:

For me, Arsenal would be much better served, going for one of the Bender brothers, especially Lars. Either of those boys would give Wenger something he hasn’t got in midfield. Someone who can read the game, is ­naturally defensively minded and who will thrive, operating in front of the back four, making sure Arsenal don’t get exposed.

However, Francis Coquelin enjoyed a terrific run of form during the latter half of the season and has proved himself a quality line of defence ahead of Arsenal’s back four. Coquelin’s mobility and energy is key to his game, but he will need top-quality cover to ensure next term’s busy schedule doesn’t impact his progress.

Monaco’s Geoffrey Kondogbia continues to be linked with the club, although it seems local rivals Spurs are also interested in his services. It’s suggested the White Hart Lane club have a lodged a £20 million bid for the destructive Frenchman, according to talkSPORT.

David Amoyal, writer on behalf of Sky Italia’s Gianluca Di Marzio, indicates AC Milan CEO Adriano Galliani has had dinner with the 22-year-old in Monaco ahead of trying to secure a deal. It’s also suggested the Rossoneri’s city rivals Inter Milan are interested. A valuation of €30 million (approximately £21.4 million) is discussed.

Kondogbia posted some highly impressive performances throughout the 2014-15 Ligue 1 campaign and also starred in the Champions League. His goal against Arsenal at the Emirates was just reward for his dominant display, in which his size and physicality overpowered the north London side’s midfield.

B/R UK’s Jonathan Johnson recently discussed how Kondogbia would adapt to life under Arsene Wenger’s guidance:

The Gunners’ need for a specialist defensive midfielder has lessened with the emergence of Coquelin. Even so, a world-class alternative is needed. Too often Wenger has been forced to deploy Mikel Arteta—whose instinct isn’t to defend—or Mathieu Flamini, who is an underwhelming performer at the top level.

Bender or Kondogbia can fulfill important roles for the club. It’s been years since Arsenal possessed genuine physicality through the centre—the kind Patrick Vieira used to add—highlighted by Abou Diaby’s constant injuries at the club.

For all of the squad’s technical prowess, a midfield enforcer should remain top of Wenger’s shopping list.

As highlighted above, the kind of stars he’ll be looking at will receive plenty of interest throughout the summer. The French boss shouldn’t be afraid of spending handsomely to improve his squad, who are on the verge of offering a genuine title challenge.

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