Fabio Coentrao Set for Real Madrid Exit, Latest Rumours on Jose Luis Gaya

Real Madrid could be set to shuffle their defensive options, with reports linking Fabio Coentrao with a transfer away from the Santiago Bernabeu and Jose Luis Gaya with a potential move to the European champions.

As noted by Anthony Champman of the Express, Marca claims Carlo Ancelotti is a huge admirer of the latter, who has been mightily impressive during his appearances in the Valencia first team so far this season. The piece goes on to claim that the Madrid giants will pay £13.5 million to Los Che in order to land the teenage sensation.

Here’s a look at why Gaya is rated as one of the top prospects in Spanish football:

The 19-year-old is a versatile talent, capable of doing a job with distinction in both left-back and centre-back berths. His acquisition would also tie in with the direction that Madrid are looking to take the club; if he was to sign, he’d be the third young player to join in the window alongside Norwegian starlet Martin Odegaard and Brazilian midfielder Lucas Silva.

Manuel Queimadelos Alonso/Getty Images

As noted here by RMadridHome, the Real president Florentino Perez is also a big admirer of the youngster:

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Marca | Florentino Perez to Valencia owner Peter Lim on left-back Gaya: "We have to sign that kid." pic.twitter.com/MoUEh3BaE0

— RMadridHøme (@RMadridHome) January 29, 2015"

But at this juncture, would a move to Los Blancos be the best course of action for Gaya? According to WhoScored.com, he’s made 18 league appearances for a high-flying Valencia team this season and that game time has been paramount to his exceptional development.

Madrid, you suspect, wouldn’t be able to provide him with the requisite reassurances about his opportunities.

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It's an issue that has plagued a lot of youngsters who have been lured to Madrid, per football writer Isaac Gallows:

They might be able to offer Gaya a back-up role behind Marcelo, though. According to Chapman’s piece, Marca also claim Coentrao will be sold by Los Blancos, with Manchester United reportedly eyeing up a whopping £25 million offer for the Portuguese international.

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Here’s what United would be getting for that kind of a premium:

If Coentrao is deemed surplus to requirements, then it won’t come as a major shock. Marcelo is clearly Ancelotti’s first choice in the left-back berth, and at 26 years old, it’s imperative that Coentrao starts getting regular team football.

Nonetheless, as noted here by M.A.J, the Portuguese international is a player to whom Ancelotti has often turned in big games:

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Ancelotti's LB last season vs Bayern? Coentrao BVB? Coentrao Schalke? Coentrao Barca in Copa final? Coentrao Atleti in UCL final? Coentrao

— M.A.J (@UltraSuristic) January 21, 2015"

You suspect Coentrao’s potentially transfer ultimately rests with the player himself. If he feels frustrated at falling behind the Brazilian in the left-back pecking order and wants to play regular first-team football, then a team like United could be ideal for him.

But as previous form shows, he’s not a player who Ancelotti simply does not rate.

Gaya does have the class to go on and become one of Spain’s finest defenders, but at this juncture, it would be premature for him to move to Madrid.

The Mestalla remains an ideal place for him to hone his precocious talent, and if he does decide to stick around with Valencia for a little longer yet, Los Blancos would be foolish to let a player of Coentrao’s class walk away.