Pires fears for Bellerin’s long-term future and urges Arsenal to sign Wan-Bissaka

The Spanish full-back will not play again this season after suffering a knee injury in January's win over Chelsea.

Bellerin underwent surgery on a ruptured ACL though he is expected to miss the start of the 2019-20 season.

As a result Unai Emery is short in the position.

Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Stephan Lichtsteiner have helped fill the void, while Carl Jenkinson made his first Premier League start of the campaign in the mid-week 5-1 win over Bournemouth.

But according to Pires the Gunners should be looking to the summer transfer window to beef up the position.

He told bwin: "Arsenal should definitely be looking to sign Wan-Bissaka in the summer transfer window.

"He’s exactly the type of player that would suit the attacking full-back role that Arsenal like to play and he would definitely improve the team next season.

"[Hector] Bellerín will have a long road to recovery and Arsenal won’t be wanting to rush him back in too quickly.

"There’s also the chance that his injury will be a recurring one so they need to have another full-back of the same high quality and I think Wan-Bissaka is that player."

After breaking into the Palace team during the twilight of last season, Wan-Bissaka has become a regular under Roy Hodgson.

The 21-year-old has made 28 appearances in all competitions this term.

He signed a new contract until 2022 last April as the Eagles looked to protect his value.

Both Manchester City and Manchester United have been linked with a move for the England Under-21 international.

Palace are understood to have slapped a £40million price tag on Wan-Bissaka but reports last month suggested Arsenal were ready to match that valuation.

However, that fee would use up Emery's entire summer budget if the club fail to qualify for the Champions League.

City were linked with a move for the full-back as part of a raid on English talent, with moves for Ben Chilwell and Declan Rice also planned.

Meanwhile, United are said to be keen having included the youngster on a wishlist of four players which also includes Barcelona's Ivan Rakitic.

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