Arsenal Transfer News: Latest Lucas Moura, Lars Bender Rumours

Arsenal are reportedly interested in signing Brazilian winger Lucas Moura next summer. But the Gunners might not need to wait as long for another top transfer target, German holding midfielder Lars Bender.

Arsenal are among the teams keeping an eye on Moura's situation at Paris Saint-Germain. French source BuzzSport (h/t Metro's Will Giles) even suggests the Gunners may bid "more than £30 million" for the tricky wide man in the summer.

Moura is an interesting potential target for the north London club. Still just 23, he's an incredible talent. But that talent remains unrealised.

Giles notes how Moura hasn't fully convinced PSG boss Laurent Blanc. He also states the South American star "is unlikely to settle for his current ‘super-sub’ role."

Moura has been inconsistent in the French capital, but he has qualities perfect for the Gunners. Specifically, his lightning pace, insane close control and powerful shot would all be assets in Arsenal's front three.

Manager Arsene Wenger has often tried to employ true width in his version of the 4-3-3. But he has  struggled to find the right fits for the wide berths. Currently, the Frenchman is getting by with youngsters Joel Campbell and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, while the Gunners lurch through an injury crisis.

Normally, natural central midfielder Aaron Ramsey starts on the right, with free-scoring talisman Alexis Sanchez taking up a position on the left.

What Wenger really needs is a true winger to provide balance to his formation. Moura can be that player. This is a rough diamond Wenger would polish into a gem.

That would mean adding some nuance to Moura's game. Back in 2014, Igor Mladenovic, writing for the Guardian, took the mercurial Brazilian to task for his frustrating lack of progress:

The Brazilian’s failure to integrate a tactical dimension to his game makes him lack the awareness required to break up narrow defences on European pitches.

A propensity to cut inside and over-enthusiastic dribbling (5.4 dribbles per game in the Champions League last season, nearly a quarter of his total attempted passes) have earned him a reputation for playing it solo, despite boasting the third highest number of assists in Ligue 1 behind Ibrahimovic and James Rodríguez last season.

Yet, Moura's stunted development hasn't deterred interest. Recently, French newspaper L'Equipe (h/t Giles) reported Arsenal's Premier League rival Manchester United might revisit a deal for a player they tried to sign under Sir Alex Ferguson.

For all of Moura's wayward tendencies, Wenger is the perfect manager to indulge his free spirit. Working with Sanchez, Theo Walcott and Mesut Ozil would surely get the best out of this outrageously gifted player.

If Wenger's looking for another star-making project, Moura is it.

Leverkusen Open to Lars Bender Sale

The chance to get Moura is appealing, but the better news for Arsenal is the increased hope of signing Bender this winter. The player's club, Bundesliga outfit Bayer 04 Leverkusen, have suggested they'd be open to a sale.

Chairman Michael Schade hinted he won't be able to keep Bender if offers from some of Europe's biggest come in, according to the Daily Telegraph:

Bayer Leverkusen can’t be as arrogant to say that we are creating world stars and they will retire here.

If we are able to create a world star or top player, then one day this player wants to play for one of the top [clubs in the world], of course.

Bender is part of a six-strong list of combative midfielders Wenger is reportedly monitoring, per James Olley of the London Evening Standard.

The Gunners definitely need help at the heart of midfield. Tomas Rosicky, Jack Wilshere, Mikel Arteta, Santi Cazorla and Francis Coquelin are all injured. It's the latter who is perhaps the biggest loss.

Coquelin is the player with the positional discipline and willingness to tackle who can effectively shield Arsenal's back four. Those are the qualities Wenger would get from Bender.

The 26-year-old is cerebral and combative between the midfield and defensive lines. Bender is never shy about putting his foot in. Once he wins the ball, he doesn't fuss in possession, quickly moving the ball on to more forward-thinking players.

Securing Bender in January would represent a major coup for Wenger. His defensive attributes at the base of midfield would provide a huge fillip for the Gunners' inconsistent title bid.

With so many injuries, Wenger can't afford not to add new faces to the ranks this winter. In a Premier League title race so far defined by the absence of a single, standout team, investing in some star power would give Arsenal the decisive edge.