Fabio Coentrao's move to PAOK breaks down - where next?
Fabio Coentrao’s proposed move to Greek champions PAOK has fallen through.
Coentrao, 31, looked certain to be PAOK’s latest reinforcement, having even travelled to Thessaloniki to complete all the remaining formalities and sign for the club.
He then swiftly departed the country though, returning to Portugal to discuss the proposal with his family, clearly hesitant about the move.
In light of this, PAOK went on to withdraw their interest in Coentrao, removing their offer from the table, leaving Coentrao needing to find a new club.
PAOK are now managed by Portuguese former Braga coach Abel Ferreira, and the addition of the former Real Madrid left back would have been the second Portuguese player in the side after captain Vieirinha.
33-year old Vieirinha, who was part of the Portugal squad that won the 2016 Euros, is the club captain, was used as the club’s left back throughout last campaign, as well as being voted as the Greek giants’ player of the season.
Having represented Rio Ave last season, Coentrao was openly disappointed that former club Sporting CP, who he spent the season prior on loan at, did not attempt to sign him on a permanent deal, and he instead had to join the mid-table Primeira Liga outfit.
One year on from that, though, he is again a free agent, having played 21 of 34 Primeira Liga matches for Rio Ave last term.
He did a decent job - but likely did not intend to stay at his boyhood club for any longer than a year, and is now set for a new adventure, most likely in Greece.
The former Real Madrid left back had been linked with a move to Brazilian outfit Flamengo, where he would have linked up with his former manager Jorge Jesus..
Now, there are reports emerging from A Bola that a move to FC Porto could be on the cards as they look to strengthen their team for the new campaign.
They are reportedly considering the prospect of offering the former Portugal international a chance to return to Portuguese football, with a more tempting proposal than PAOK managed to offer.
According to O Jogo, a club spokesperson neither confirmed nor denied the suggestions.
Were such a move to come to fruition, it would mean that Coentrao has represented Benfica, Sporting and Porto at some point throughout his career.
