Arsenal should make an audacious attempt to sign Gareth Bale to replace Alexis Sanchez, David Bentley has suggested.

The Gunners are facing the prospect of losing the Chile international in the January transfer window amid reported interest from Manchester City.

Arsenal could keep hold of Sanchez beyond January but the South American’s contract is set to expire at the end of the 2017-18 Premier League season.

Sanchez has been a key player for Arsene Wenger since his big-money move to the Emirates Stadium from La Liga giants Barcelona in the 2014 summer transfer window.

Former Tottenham winger Bale is facing an uncertain future at Real Madrid following a persistant spate of injury problems to call into question his role at the Spanish club.

Manchester United have been linked with a bid to sign Bale on a regular basis over the past 12 months or so since Jose Mourinho’s appointment.

However, ex-Arsenal and Tottenham midfielder Bentley believes the Gunners should look to sign Bale to fill Sanchez’s void if the 29-year-old quits Arsenal.

“In the January window they’re going to be struggling to get a concrete, long-term replacement,” said Bentley, speaking exclusively to 888sport.

“It’s a difficult market to operate under because nobody wants to release their players. But for me, if there was an option of going for Gareth Bale – who is available and can have an effect long-term – then Arsenal will pay the wages. That would put the cat among the pigeons. That would be controversial to say the least.

“But if you’re looking around the world at the minute for an unknown or a foreign player without Premier League experience then it’s very difficult to get them up to speed straight away. There are a few rumours and it wouldn’t surprise me if he was available and £86m would be a snip.

“Bale can do everything and is one of the best players I’ve ever seen. He’s also commercially good. If they can get him for £86m they can more than manage the £300,000 a week or whatever he’s on. That would be the player I’d target.”

The Gunners spent a club-record fee on Lyon striker Alexandre Lacazette in the summer transfer window.

Read the full 888sport interview with David Bentley, including his thoughts on Arsene Wenger’s treatment of Lacazette.

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