Real Madrid are apparently on the verge of acquiring Benfica and Portugal left back Fabio Coentrao for a fee believed to around €25M, with Argentinian centre Ezequiel Garay also being sent to Lisbon as a makeweight. Coentrao, 23, is widely regarded as one of the top fullback prospects in the world and is the first major acquisition for Madrid this summer as they attempt to peg back a dominant Barcelona in La Liga and Europe.
Real Madrid Transfer Rumors: Fabio Coentrao On Verge Of €25M Move
PortuGOAL.net’s Ben Shave gushed about Coentrao’s potential to shine at Real Madrid, citing his incredible speed from deep as a major threat to the opposition:
Put simply, Fábio Coentrão has the potential to become one of the game's most accomplished left-backs for years to come. The 23-year-old from the northern fishing town of Vila do Conde has many of the characteristics most prized by José Mourinho: pace, technical ability and an unswerving commitment to the cause.
Though he has played further higher up the pitch at times during his fledgling career, Coentrão is at his most effective when operating from a deeper position: his pace and lung power make him a devastating proposition, particularly when arriving late on the overlap. Already colleagues at international level, Coentrão now looks set to link up with compatriot Cristiano Ronaldo in the white of Real Madrid, further increasing the Portuguese influence on Mourinho's merengues.
Although no formal announcement has been made, one is expected by the end of Tuesday. It sounds like a very good deal for both teams, but with the departure of David Luiz to Chelsea in January and Coentrao now, Benfica are going to have to do a little spending to make up for the gaping holes that have appeared in their defence. Don't worry, though - they have plenty of cash.
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