'They want me to leave' - Unhappy £26m star close to Madrid exit. LFC chance...?

In March, Reports in the UK claimed that Liverpool were considering a summer move for Real Madrid full-back Fabio Coentrao. Well, with the transfer window just around the corner, the Portuguese star has publicly criticised Madrid, and made it clear that he'd consider a move away from the Bernebeau. With Liverpool seemingly in the market for both left and right backs, is Coentrao an option worth considering?

In an interview last night, 25-year old Coentrao revealed his frustration over the treatment he'd received at Madrid. He told O Jogo:

"From the first day I do not think I was wanted here. Today it seems that everyone wants me to leave the club. I do not know what I have done wrong.

"We must find a solution that is good for both the club and myself, so that no one will lose out. If I leave Real Madrid, I do not close the door to anyone"

Liverpool have been linked with Coentrao several times in the past:

* October 2010: Portuguese newspaper Jornal Record reports that Roy Hodgson is monitoring Coentrao, with a view to a possible January transfer.

* April 2011: The Daily Mail reports that Kenny Dalglish also wants the Portuguese international.

* May 2011: Portuguese newspaper Correio da Manha claims that Liverpool have agreed a fee of £25m for Coentrao.

Prior to his move to Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid star Silvio predicted that Coentrao would become the best left-back in the world. he enthused:

"He is a spectacular player. He is the best left-back in Portugal and he will surely be the best one in the world. He will wind up being considered the best player in his position for many years"

Has Coentrao lived up to that billing? He's a solid player for Madrid, but he's also received a lot of criticism for the quality of his performances over the last year.

In January, Spanish newspaper AS claimed that Madrid boss Jose Mourinho was planning to sell Coentrao, having grown tired of his disruptive influence, which includes the following:

* November 2011 - An hour late for training (repeat offender)
* January 2012 - Arrived out of shape after Christmas break. Dropped by Mourinho.
* March 2012 - Caught smoking. Fined and left out of the squad for Villarreal.
* July 2012 - Reputedly a 'bad influence' during Madrid's summer tour of the USA.
* August 2012 - 4 games ban for calling the referee a 'bastard'.
* January 2013 - Massively late for training again.

In February, Spanish newspaper Marca - basically the media mouthpiece for Real Madrid - echoed AS's report:

"José Mourinho is at his wit's end with Fabio Coentrao, whose form has been a far cry from what is expected of a Real Madrid player. [Against Granada], Mourinho was forced to correct [Coentrao's] positioning and yelled instructions from the sidelines with the aim of sparking an improvement. Alas, it was not to be"

Coentrao - who cost Madrid £26m in 2011 - sounds like a bit of a nightmare to manage, but his talent cannot be denied. Would Liverpool be able to afford him though? Would he consider coming to Anfield? Do Liverpool even need him?



Jaimie Kanwar

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