Andre Villas-Boas wants Tottenham to make another attempt to sign Fabio Coentrao in January.
Spurs tried to sign Coentrao from Real Madrid last summer but the player’s wages, as well as his doubts about Spurs’ prospects, are thought to have scuppered a possible deal. Coentrao nearly joined Manchester United on loan on the final day of the window but the two clubs failed to reach an agreement in time.
Coentrao earns about £100,000 a week at the Bernabeu and has started only three games this season for Carlo Ancelotti’s team, with the Italian using Marcelo as his first choice left back.
Spurs head coach Villas-Boas is a firm admirer of his compatriot and Standard Sport understands he would like the club to make another attempt to capture him, this time on a loan deal until the end of the campaign.
Madrid are under no pressure to release Coentrao and the deal would be difficult to realise, yet Spurs have concerns in that position. Jan Vertonghen has filled in at left-back in recent weeks but the Belgian has made no secret of his preference for playing in the centre.
Kyle Naughton, who is right-footed, has often looked fragile when he has played on his weaker flank, while Danny Rose, who started the season as Villas-Boas’ first choice, is still absent with a foot injury.
Rose’s problem has not healed as quickly as Spurs would have hoped and the doubts about Naughton means they are currently without a reliable, orthodox left-back.
Villas-Boas believes Coentrao, has the necessary attacking and defensive qualities improve matters considerably and is keen for Tottenham to negotiate. Although Coentrao might be reluctant to join a club not playing in the Champions League, he could become more open to the idea if Portugal qualify for the World Cup. The 25-year-old would want to be playing regularly in the build-up to next summer’s tournament, which Portugal will reach if they overcome Sweden in a two-leg play-off later this month.
