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Former Arsenal midfielder urges club to replace Sanchez with Bale
Alexis Sanchez is yet to sign a new contract at the club and the situation is very likely to end with the Chilean leaving the club. While Arsenal have been linked with several players to replace the 28-year old, in case he leaves in January or in the summer, former Arsenal and Tottenham midfielder, David Bentley suggested a strong candidate.
In a news that will irk Spurs supporters, Bentley advised the Gunners to go all out for Real Madrid's Gareth Bale. He told 888sport:
“In the January window, they’re going to be struggling to get a concrete, long-term replacement. 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 Real Madrid superstar is definitely one of the best in the world and rumours about his departure from Spain refuse to go away. It definitely makes sense for Arsenal to sign a proven Premier League player, but Bale will not be short of suitors in case he is willing to move.
Wenger gives an update on Ozil and Sanchez's futures
The pair starred in Arsenal's 2-0 win against local rivals Tottenham as Ozil picked up an assist while Sanchez scored the second goal. However, neither of them is yet to sign a new contract, with their current ones expiring in the summer. This implies foreign clubs can speak to the duo in January and seal an agreement to join in the summer.
Arsene Wenger was asked regarding the player's futures post-match and he emphasised the player's performances as proof of their commitment to the club. He said:
"If you have to give me one credit, it's that I've never questioned that (commitment). I know them well and I know that when these guys go on the pitch, they want to win the game. They've shown their commitment again today. I've never questioned their commitment. They can have bad games but the problem is that, when a player gets near the end of his contract and has a bad game, everybody says it's because he's going. Their interest is to play."
"I just said that I've been in this job long enough to know that's not enough. The quality of the contract has to be good and enough for them as well. I am convinced that they love the club and they love the team. All the rest will be decided [soon]. When? I don't really know. I'm not alone in mastering that."
So, it is still not good news for Arsenal fans but if Wenger's optimism leads to either of them staying, then it would be a job well done.
Three-way battle for Shakhtar's Bernard
The Mirror claims that Arsenal have to fight off domestic rivals Chelsea and Liverpool to sign Shakhtar Donetsk's attacker Bernard. The Brazilian joined the Ukrainian side in 2013 and has been a top performer ever since. However, he is in the final year of his contract and could sign a pre-contract with foreign clubs in January.
As a result, the three English teams are reportedly interested in the 25-year old who has scored 6 goals in 18 appearances so far this season. On the other hand, Shakhtar do not want to lose the player for free in the summer and are looking to sell him in January.
The report states that the club have set an asking price of £11.5 million for the player, which is extremely modest in the current transfer market.
Bernard will definitely be a good addition for either of the teams and he can play in Sanchez's position for Arsenal should the Gunners snap him up.
