Benzema's stratospheric release clause as striker renews Real Madrid contract

The striker, who's been at the club since 2009, has renewed his contract at the Bernabeu until June 2023.

There are always ways around signing players who have a few years left on their contracts but any club interested in purchasing Benzema will be set back an eye-watering amount.

AS, reports that the Frenchman's release clause stands at €1billion (£857million).

Benzema, 33, underlined his importance to the team in Real's LaLiga opener as he fired in two goals during their 4-1 win at Deportivo Alaves last weekend.

He becomes the sixth Real Madrid player to extend his contract this summer, with Luka Modric, Nacho, Dani Carvajal, Lucas Vazquez and Thibaut Courtois have all committing their futures to the club.

However, they have said goodbye to Martin Odegaard, who has signed a five-year deal with Arsenal.

It should be noted Real Madrid will have first refusal on the player they signed as a 16-year-old back in 2015 should Arsenal sell him.

Gunners legend Ray Parlour believes this is a good deal for his former club - even if James Maddison may have been Mikel Arteta's preference.

"For the money, it's a decent signing. I don't think we've seen the best out of him yet," he told talkSPORT Breakfast.

"They know him as a player, they've seen him train on a daily basis so know exactly what they are getting.

"He was a wonderkid when he went to Real Madrid and potentially hasn't got to where he should be.

"They were desperate for a No.10 and he was the one available. Maddison was probably the one they wanted, but maybe Leicester didn't want to sell him as they are trying to get that top four or he might have been too much money.

"Odegaard, for the money, with the transfer market at the money, isn't a bad deal."

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