Fabio Coentrão set for return to football
Having been a free agent since July 2019, Fabio Coentrao is finally set to make a return to professional football, with interest from Europe becoming a firm proposition.
The former Real Madrid, Benfica and Sporting left back, who can also function as a suitable right back or defensive midfielder, was most recently on the books of Rio Ave.
His contract with the club came to an end at the end of June though, leaving him without a club beyond the entire summer transfer window. And now on the cusp of the end of 2019, that still remains the case.
He had come close to signing for Greek champions PAOK, managed by former Braga coach Abel Ferreira, back in August, but turned down the offer at the last minute after discussions with his family.
He was also linked with a shock move to FC Porto, which would have seen him become one of an exclusive group of players to have played for all of the “Big Three” clubs in Portuguese football.
Additionally, a move to Brazil to link up with former boss Jorge Jesus at Flamengo was also highly touted in the Brazilian and Portuguese press alike, though the deal never transpired.
Now, however, after months of waiting for a return to the beautiful game, the 52-time Portugal international is finally on the brink of doing just that, with a move to Fenerbahce looking increasingly likely.
