Real Madrid News
Real Madrid superstar has turned down an offer from Saudi Arabia – report
Karim Benzema has been the backbone of Real Madrid’s attack for over a decade. His value to the Merengues‘ attack was overshadowed for a long time by the brilliance of Cristiano Ronaldo, but recent seasons have shown what an impactful player the striker is in his own right.
The veteran suffered a difficult first half of the 2022/23 season but has turned around his performances in the last two weeks. Back-to-back hattricks against Real Valladolid and Barcelona announced his return on the big stage. Now, he is said to be more ready than ever for the final stage of the season.
According to reports from MARCA, Benzema has turned down an offer from Saudi Arabia for next season and is set to stay in the Spanish capital for one more season.
The striker’s current contract with Los Blancos expires at the end of the season and given his fitness woes, there was some skepticism about his continuity.
Benzema was also said to be considering the offer for a while now, which not only includes a move to Saudi Arabia but also the commencement of a new academy under Benzema’s name and image. Yet, he is currently unperturbed by the money on the table, at least for the next year.
The report goes on to talk about an unwritten law at Real Madrid that sees any player who wins the Ballon d’Or secure a renewal. Benzema is close to following the same tracks and talks will progress in the coming days.
The 35-year-old has already scored 14 goals and provided three assists in La Liga this season in just 18 appearances.
With the team now fighting on two fronts – the final of the Copa del Rey and the quarterfinal of the UEFA Champions League – Benzema’s form and fitness could make or break the season and his manager’s future.
La Liga released the salary limits of all 20 clubs yesterday and, rather unsurprisingly, Real Madrid were once again the club with the highest limit.
Los Blancos saw their salary cap increase to €832.8 million, underlining the exceptionally strong financial position they continue to occupy.
Now, as quoted by Mundo Deportivo, La Liga corporate director Javier Gomez explained the mechanism under which Madrid saw their salary limit increase.
La Liga explains Madrid’s increase
Gomez explained that the increase comes from a rule available to financially healthy clubs that meet the required economic ratios.
“It is normal. Under the regulations, certain clubs that meet specific ratios and have healthy accounts can use savings accumulated from previous years to increase their limit,” Gomez said.
That explanation is important because Madrid’s increased spending capacity is directly connected to the club’s financial position rather than an exceptional concession from La Liga.
“They can request an increase of up to 25% and they use it. One thing is requesting it and another is actually using it,” he added.
Madrid rewarded for healthy finances
For Real Madrid, the key phrase is “healthy accounts.”
La Liga’s system effectively allows qualifying clubs to make use of financial strength built up in previous seasons.
Madrid have therefore been able to convert accumulated savings into greater flexibility within their squad cost limit.
That does not mean the club must spend everything available to them. As Gomez stressed, being authorised to increase the limit and actually using that entire capacity are two different things.
It nevertheless leaves Madrid with considerable room when planning contracts, renewals and future transfer windows.
Financial strength gives Madrid options
Los Blancos made several marquee signings this summer who would definitely have arrived with significant contract demands.
More importantly, the club committed a lot of money to the renewal of Vinicius Jr. back in the summer.
Since the close of the transfer window, the club have turned their attention to renewing the contracts of their other superstars.
It has been revealed that Madrid have effectively agreed a contract renewal with shot-stopper Thibaut Courtois.
Los Blancos are also accelerating talks to renew Jude Bellingham’s contract before English clubs enter the scene.
Madrid’s strong financial position is allowing them to position themselves aggressively when it comes to securing the future of the squad.
Having the option is valuable, and it remains to be seen how the club use it.
