Madrid: Real Madrid's new coach Carlo Ancelotti says defender Fabio Coentrao has asked for a transfer.
Ancelotti says that he left Coentrao off his squad for Sunday's Spanish league opener against Real Betis because the Portugal international "has asked to leave."
Madrid paid ¤30 million (then $43 million) in 2011 to acquire Coentrao from Benfica.
Ancelotti says that he is happy with his squad but that Tottenham forward Gareth Bale would be a welcome addition since "great players always bring things to a team."
Ancelotti will make his official debut for Madrid against Betis. The Italian manager says he wants his team to break with the counterattacking style of predecessor Jose Mourinho and look to control the ball.
