Fenerbahçe hope to repeat history by signing Real Madrid's Marcelo

The transfer window may have closed in Spain, France, Italy, England and Germany... but it remains open for business in Turkey - at least until midnight on Wednesday. It's the final chance for Turkish clubs to strengthen their squads or offload players who are no longer needed until the next window comes around. Fenerbahçe are dreaming of landing a player who they have longed to sign for a number of years - Marcelo. Local media outlet Milliyet is reporting the club's renewed interest in the Real Madrid left-back.

It couldn't be a better moment - Marcelo knows that he will be starting out as the number two choice in his position this season at Real Madrid, even though he is the first captain following Sergio Ramos' departure over the summer. Ahead of him for now is David Alaba, who has already played a couple of games at left-back, and probably Férland Mendy once he is over his fitness issues, and maybe even Miguel Gutiérrez, who has made the step up into the first team squad from Castilla.

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Ancelotti gave Marcelo prominence in his first spell as coach at Madrid, but he also rested him when required - including for the 2013-14 Champions League final, when he opted for Fabio Coentrão instead - he felt the Portuguese full-back would be more secure given Marcelo's occasional lapses in defence. Those lapses are now more frequent as was evident last season and during the pre-season when the defender struggled to keep his back covered.

But in spite of all that, it is unlikely that Marcelo will end up at Fenerbahçe this season. He earns 8 million euros net per season and that is a figure way beyond the Turkish club's means. Also, he will be out of contract in June 2022. Florentino Pérez confirmed that Marcelo will stay on at the club in his final season as the team's first captain, although Benzema will act as the de facto captain out on the pitch as he is certain to play more than the Brazilian. Marcelo wants to end his time at the club, almost 16 years, bowing out with full honours in 2022 before embarking on a new adventure.

Marcelo and Roberto Carlos, legends and friends

It would be more likely to see Fenerbahçe making a push for Marcelo next summer, with the hope of repeating their capture of Roberto Carlos a few years back. The legendary Brazilian left-back, who played for Madrid from 1996 until 2007, joined Fenerbahçe when his contract expired. In Istanbul, he played 104 games and scored 10 goals and created 13 others during his two and a  half years there.

Marcelo will be 34 when the current season ends and his performances have been steadily declining since 2018-19, when he lost his place as the team's first-choice left-back. Moving to Turkey could be a good opportunity for him to remain in Europe and continue following in the footsteps of his great friend and mentor, Roberto Carlos.