Arsenal Transfer News: Gunners Offered Summer Deal for Fabio Coentrao

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger could have part of his summer transfer plans shaped for him. That is if he's tempted by a deal for Real Madrid full-back Fabio Coentrao.

Los Blancos have offered the Gunners the chance to sign the experienced Portuguese defender once this season ends. That's according to Daily Express reporter Bruce Archer.

He's cited unnamed reports in Spain suggesting La Liga leaders Real are prepared to ditch the 26-year-old. But the decision could rest on whether the Los Merengues hierarchy can coax interest from Arsenal and Premier League rival Liverpool.

That might not be so easy. A Daily Star report suggested both Wenger and Anfield chief Brendan Rodgers decided against making an offer during the final hours of the January transfer window.

Alex Livesey/Getty Images

The same report also indicated Madrid will now accept as little as half the £25 million value for a player manager Carlo Ancelotti has no place for.

That's been reflected in Coentrao's scant appearances this season. He's started just eight matches in all competitions at club level, per ESPN FC.

But while Coentrao doesn't seem to feature in Ancelotti's thinking, he's still a highly capable defender.

He's uncompromising in the tackle and solid in the air. The one-time Benfica star is also a quality attacking outlet roving forward.

If there's one attribute that might appeal to Wenger it's Coentrao's versatility. He can play either side at full-back and even slide inside to play central defender.

Wenger has made a habit out of using full-backs in the middle when injuries have struck during recent seasons. During the 2012/13 and 2013/14 campaigns, it was Bacary Sagna who became Arsenal's floating fill-in at the back.

This season both left-back Nacho Monreal and right-back Mathieu Debuchy have spent time in the middle. Yet these patchwork measures now look set to come to an end.

The accelerated development of Hector Bellerin has meant the Gunners have coped with Debuchy suffering a second long-term injury since signing for the club last summer.

Wenger can even play Calum Chambers at that spot, although the ex-Southampton prospect may be better at centre-back. That's a position recently strengthened by the January signing of former Villarreal rock Gabriel Paulista.

Arsenal can still rely on solid first-choice pairing Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker. Meanwhile, Monreal and Kieran Gibbs are effective splitting chores at left-back.

Wenger also still has a decision to make about Carl Jenkinson, another right-back who can also play in the middle, currently on loan at West Ham United.

The point is the Gunners no longer have a pressing need for defensive recruits, particularly at full-back. The only way a deal for Coentrao would make sense is if Wenger could negotiate a true bargain price. Say somewhere in the £5 million to £10 million region but closer to that range's floor than its ceiling.

Unless that happens, don't count on Arsenal taking Madrid up on the offer once summer rolls around.