Real Madrid Transfer News: Los Blancos, Benefica Agree on Fabio Coentrao Fee

It wouldn't be a summer transfer window without another major Real Madrid signing.

Los Blancos have been very active in the offseason, and the Spanish club is on the verge of signing another major acquisition—this time, it's defender Fabio Coentrao, who had long been linked to the club.

The left-back hadn't pushed hard for a move, but Real Madrid and Benefica came to the negotiating table and hammered out a deal. As it the case with Los Blancos, it is for a hefty sum.

Per Mirror Football:

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Real Madrid have reached an initial agreement with Benfica for the transfer of wing-back Fabio Coentrao to the Bernabeu for 30million euros, according to the Portuguese club (sic).

Benfica announced the deal in a statement to the Portuguese Securities Market Commission (CMCM), with the switch dependant on Coentrao passing his medical and agreeing personal terms with Madrid.

The news will come as a blow to Chelsea, who were also interested in the defender.

If the transfer goes through, Coentrao will becoming Madrid's fifth signing of the summer following on from Turkey international duo Nuri Sahin and Hamit Altintop, Espanyol winger Jose Maria Callejon and Frenchman Raphael Varane.

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If you are a supporter of Real Madrid, you have to love this signing.

Coentrao is only 23 years old, a top defender and he has plenty of top-level football ahead of him.

With Jose Mourinho's emphasis on defense, adding a young left-back with lots of potential is a brilliant signing for a club that will face opponents with a lot of firepower.

If Los Blancos are going to unseat Barcelona from their perch atop La Liga and the Champions League, then they need to be able to play solid defense and allow their goal scorers to get out in space and use their creativity to their advantage.

Too many times, Real Madrid was caught trying not to get beat on defense, and it hampered what could have been a potent offensive attack.

You simply cannot let clubs like Barca unload on you as you move back to try and prevent getting beat deep. Eventually, Barcelona's offense will overwhelm you, and we saw that last season.

In five matches against Barca, Real Madrid managed three goals while Barcelona scored nine, including five in one match.

That discrepancy was evident in the standings as Los Blancos had little success against Barca, going winless against their rival in league play and in the Champions League semifinal.

Real Madrid did best Barcelona in the Copa Del Rey final, but that result isn't enough for the supporters of the club, who are hungry to consistently best Lionel Messi and company atop the world stage.

Signing Coentrao is a step towards doing that, and if he continues to improve throughout his career, Los Blancos will have one of the world's top defenders at the Bernabeu