Arsenal closing in on double January transfer swoop – report

Arsenal are closing in on a big-money double deal to sign Lars Bender and Granit Xhaka, according to reports.

Arsene Wenger has already moved to bring in midfielder Mohamed Elneny from FC Basel this month as the Frenchman added cover for the injury Francis Coquelin.

Wenger is thought to be on the lookout for further additions this month despite saying publicly that he is expecting a quiet end to the January transfer window at Emirates Stadium.

Now, the Daily Telegraph is reporting that the north London side are keen to secure deals for Bayer Leverkusen’s Bender and Borussia Monchengladbach’s Xhaka before the close of the current window.

Bender, 26, has been limited to just seven Bundesliga appearances for Leverkusen so far this season.

Meanwhile, Xhaka, 23, has scored three goals in 15 games in the German league so far this term.

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Bender is understood to be valued at around £28m while Xhaka would likely cost in the region of £26m.