Real Madrid left back Fabio Coentrao has formally asked to leave the club, it has been confirmed.
The Portuguese defender, who signed for Los Blancos from Benfica in 2011 has become concerned about his lack of first team football after losing his place in the side to Brazilian international Marcelo.
Coentrao has been linked with a moved back to his former club this summer, as well as with moves to either Chelsea, where he would link up again with Jose Mourinho, or to Tottenham Hotspur – as part of the deal to take Gareth Bale to the Santiago Bernabeu.
Speaking at his press conference ahead of Madrid’s first match of the season against Real Betis, manager Carlo Ancelotti confirmed he had received the transfer request from Coentrao.
He said: “Coentrão has requested to leave, so he will not play. The rest of the players are happy to be here.”
