Real Madrid News
Just in: Real Madrid reach verbal agreement with superstar over new contract until 2024
According to L’Equipe, Real Madrid have reached a verbal agreement with Karim Benzema over a contract renewal that will ensure his stay at Santiago Bernabeu till 2024.
The forward’s current deal expires at the end of the season and even after winning the Ballon d’Or, there were initially some doubts over the continuity of Benzema at Real Madrid due to his constant injury problems throughout the course of the season.
Benzema, 35, has indeed had a difficult time at the Bernabeu this season. He has struggled to keep up with his numbers from last season while injuries have seen him miss a number of matches. There are also reports of Carlo Ancelotti noticing a drop in his training level.
But that has not deterred Real Madrid from renewing the contract of the Frenchman, who remains an integral figure in the club’s attacking unit.
The report from L’Equipe suggests Benzema had met Florentino Perez a few days ago. They reached an agreement over a renewal until 2024. Although the contract has not been made official yet, it will be finalised in the coming weeks.
Benzema’s renewal could be a major milestone for Real Madrid, as they brace themselves for a tricky phase of the campaign.
After the contract is finalised, one would expect Los Blancos to focus on the renewal of other stars such as Luka Modric and Toni Kroos. The former feels he is ready to continue for yet another season. The club also have their task cut out when it comes to the contract extension of Marco Asensio and Dani Ceballos.
Asensio, for one, has been linked with a move to arch-rivals Barcelona, whereas there has been no advancement in the club’s bid to renew Ceballos. A lot will be unveiled in the coming weeks, as Real Madrid look to sort out the contractual situations of their star players one at a time.
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid, Barcelona, Liverpool monitoring 19-year-old Bundesliga wonderkid – Romano
According to Fabrizio Romano, Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Liverpool are all monitoring Bayer Leverkusen and Germany wonderkid Florian Wirtz.
After recovering from his ACL injury, the teenage sensation has been slowly working his way back to his best form. So far this term, Wirtz has managed to rack up a tally of two goals and six assists from 13 matches in all competitions.
The 19-year-old’s talent and potential have never been in question and hence it does not come as a surprise that elite clubs such as Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Liverpool are all keeping tabs on the German international.
A versatile attacking midfielder, Wirtz is capable of playing anywhere in the final third of the pitch and backs up with top-notch end product. Be it as a false-nine or in a more withdrawn role, the youngster has excelled for Bayer Leverkusen, catching the attention of top teams.
Real Madrid, for their part, are also understood to be among Wirtz’s admirers. Given the situation surrounding Karim Benzema’s fitness and the lack of backup at the top, the youngster could be an option, as he has shown potential while operating through the middle.
But Barcelona also have a strong interest in the teenager with reports even suggesting that they have already made contact with his father to enquire about his situation.
At the same time, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp is understood to be a huge admirer of his fellow German and with Roberto Firmino on his way out, Wirtz could be lined up as a possible replacement.
However, Romano adds that the expectation is that Wirtz could stay at Bayer Leverkusen for one more year and depart Germany once the UEFA Euro 2024 is out of the way.
For now, there have been talks or negotiations with any clubs, but Real Madrid, Barcelona and Liverpool are all tracking Wirtz and his progress in Germany.
