Real Madrid Summer Transfers: Why Fabio Coentrao Should Be the Next Galactico

For the second time in three years, Real Madrid had to watch as their rival Barcelona became champions of UEFA yet again. If Real wants things to change next season, they are going to have to make some moves during the up-coming transfer period.

With that being said, Real is still an incredibly talented and deep squad, and are probably only one or two pieces away from completing the puzzle. 

It's hard to put a definite answer on who the right player for Los Blancos is without first taking a good look at who will make up the team next year. 

According to multiple websites, the Karim Benzema-to-Arsenal talk has livened up lately, and it is starting to look like Benzema won't be returning to Real next season. Fellow striker Emmanuel Adebayor, who is currently on loan from Manchester City, seems to be happier than ever with Madrid. It appears he wants to sign a long-term contract, but manager Jose Mourinho and company haven't made a decision yet, even though Adebayor has said that he is willing to take a pay cut.

Chances are, Adebayor will be wearing all white next season.

Even with the expected departure of Benzema, Real will still be strong up front. Forwards Cristiano Ronaldo, Gonzalo Higuain and Adebayor will all be in town, while attacking midfielders Mezut Ozil and Angel Di Maria also provide fantastic goal-scoring ability. 

That takes us to midfield.

All-pro midfielder Kaka has stated that he would like to stay at Real, and rumors of him leaving have died down a bit. He has sustained multiple injuries over the last year or so that have really put him off form. If the Brazilian midfielder can even get close to the form he had two years ago, then Real is more than set in the middle, along with Ozil, Di Maria, Xabi Alonso, Lassana Diara and Sami Khedira.

While Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez might be a popular target, the team is probably better served going after a top-tier defender. Real already has the firepower to compete with Barca in La Liga, but they need to improve defensively. 

Enter Fabio Coentrao.

The 23-year-old Portuguese defender from Benefica is the best defender that has been strongly linked to Real this summer. Coentrao would immediately improve a defense that has been rumored to lose to Raul Albiol to transfer. 

Coentrao, who recently made a move from midfielder to defender, is extremely versatile. His midfield roots often come back to haunt him as he sometimes moves too far up the field. Still though, for a defender, Coentrao has a unique skill set, and it would be smart of Real to make him their No. 1 priority this summer.

It wouldn't be surprising at all to see Real Madrid acquire both Carlos Tevez and Fabio Coentrao this summer. Tevez is extremely talented and has stated that he wants out of City. If they had to pick one, however, Coentrao has to be the first choice.

He will simply have more of an impact on this team.