Karim Benzema 'reaches agreement with Real Madrid over new deal'

The 35-year-old's existing deal at Bernabeu is due to expire at the end of June, but the club have allegedly remained calm when it comes to his future.

Benzema has had his fitness problems during the current season, but he has still managed to contribute 18 goals and five assists in 27 appearances in all competitions.

The Frenchman was missing against Espanyol in the league on Saturday due to an ankle injury but is back in the squad for Wednesday's Champions League last-16 second leg with Liverpool.

According to L'Equipe, Benzema has now come to a verbal agreement with the European and Spanish champions over a deal until the summer of 2024.

The report claims that the forward met with Real Madrid president Florentino Perez earlier this week, and an agreement over a contract until next June was reached.

There will allegedly be an official announcement 'in the coming weeks', with Benzema set to represent the capital giants for at least one more campaign.

The forward moved to Real Madrid from Lyon in 2009, and he has turned out for Los Blancos on 632 occasions in all competitions, scoring 341 goals and contributing 164 assists in the process.

Benzema has won four La Liga titles, two Copa del Rey trophies and five Champions League crowns during a highly-successful period in the Spanish capital.

The Frenchman was in outstanding form for Real Madrid during the 2021-22 campaign, scoring 44 goals and registering 15 assists in 46 appearances in all competitions.

Benzema was largely available last term, only missing three league matches through injury, but he has suffered a host of fitness problems during the 2022-23 season.

The forward has struggled with muscular fatigue this term, and there have been claims that Carlo Ancelotti's side are planning to move for at least one new attacker this summer.

Manchester City's Erling Braut Haaland is said to the club's leading target, while Paris Saint-Germain's Kylian Mbappe continues to be linked with a switch to Bernabeu.