Fabio Coentrao asks to leave Real Madrid

Fabio Coentrao (left) has asked to leave Real Madrid

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed that Fabio Coentrao has asked to leave the club.

The Portugal left-back was left out of Real Madrid’s squad for their La Liga opener against Real Betis and, according to a report in the Daily Express, when asked why, Carlo Ancelotti told reporters “he [Coentrao] has asked to leave”

Real Madrid bought the left-back from Benfica in 2011 for a figure in excess of £25 million, and the Portuguese been linked with a number of Premier League clubs this summer. Tottenham are reportedly ready to offer up to £17 million, but Coentrao has expressed a desire to play in the Champions League, something the White Hart Lane outfit cannot offer.

Real Madrid’s interest in Tottenham’s Gareth Bale has led to press speculation of Coentrao being used to secure a deal to bring the Welshman to the Bernabeu, but so far no such deal has materialised. Ancelotti said he was happy with his squad but admitted he’d be open to adding Bale to it, saying “great players always bring things to a team.”