Ex-Arsenal & Tottenham Midfielder David Bentley Urges Gunners to Sign Spurs Hero Gareth Bale

Former Arsenal youth academy graduate and Tottenham Hotspur midfielder David Bentley has urged the Gunners to splash out on Real Madrid star Gareth Bale as a true statement of intent amidst the club's current transfer sagas. 

The Real attacker, who is currently sidelined with yet another injury, could well be available for a move with reports suggesting boss Zinedine Zidane and club president Florentino Perez are both unhappy with the Welshman's ability to maintain his fitness. 

Despite this, those at the Emirates Stadium could well see the 28-year-old Cardiff-born playmaker as the perfect replacement for wantaway stars Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil, who are both set for exits in the coming months after failing to agree new deals. 

Bale is thought to valued at around £86m, and Bentley believes the opportunity to capture the undoubtedly highly talented star for such a fee should be taken with both hands. 

"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", the 33-year-old told 888Sport.

"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."

If Arsenal were able to coax Bale, who is reportedly an interest of a number of Premier League sides, then he would join Bentley in playing for both the red and white halves of north London. 

The Wales international, whose fitness seemed to cost his country's route into the World Cup finals next summer, left White Hart Lane in 2013 for a reported fee of around €101m (£90m) in search of trophies and success. 

However, following an abundance of injuries, the attacker's time at the Santiago Bernabeu is reportedly coming to an end. 

There is little doubt the Gunners do not need to add yet another player to their squad who struggles to keep fit, but Bale's talents may well outweigh those worries as on his day he is surely one of the world's best.