Real Madrid's contract extension plan gets underway: Isco, Benzema, Zidane
With Marcelo renewed to 2022, Real Madrid will announce various other contract extensions over the next few weeks.
Real Madrid on Wednesday announced a new deal for Marcelo, with a contract extension to 2022, however the defender isn't the only important player whose new deal will be announced in the coming weeks.
Real Madrid protecting the squad
Real Madrid's diary is likely to be stuffed with good news, with the renewals of Isco, Benzema, Carvajal, Nacho and Zidane to be announced as the club looks to armour-plate the squad with an eye to the future.
Isco the first to renew with Real Madrid
Isco's contract is the first to run out (in 2018), and his renewal is likely the one that most excites Real Madrid fans, after his superb performances of late for both club and country (see his destruction of Italy). His new deal is a given, with Real Madrid president announcing on Spanish radio that there was an agreement between the parties for the continuation of the player who was vital for Zidane in the run-in to last season (winning the Champions League and LaLiga) and the start of this one (winning the European and Spanish Supercups). Real Madrid expect to announce Isco's renewal to 2022 in the next few days.
Benzema's second extension with Real Madrid
Next up is Benzema, whose contract runs out in 2019. Madrid have already offered him a new deal to 2021, when the striker would be 33. This will be Benzema's second extension at the Bernabéu (he arrived in 2009), the former being inked in 2014, when he went from 5 million euros a year to 8.
Dani Carvajal to get new deal at the Bernabéu
Within 'Operation Armour-Plating' the name of Dani Carvajal is also underlined in bold. He finishes his contract in 2020, and will get a two year extension. The club are keen to make such a gesture to the player from Leganés, just outside Madrid, for his exceptional performances since he came back from his loan deal to Bayer in 2013, and for his complete commitment.
Nacho in line for a new deal
And Real Madrid are also thinking about doing the same for Nacho. The academy player finishes his current deal in 2021, but the club want to recompense him for the fine season he's just had. Last summer Roma tried to tempt the player, but after a conversation with Zidane he decided to stay in Madrid and the French coach has repaid his trust. Last season he played the most minutes ever (3,193) and played outstandingly, covering, as he's doing this year, for Varane and Ramos.
Real Madrid want to reward Zidane
The icing on the cake of this defensive plan from Real Madrid will be the renewal of Zidane. The new deal for the French coach, who has won seven trophies in a year and a half, runs to three seasons, according to sources consulted by this newspaper. Under the new contract Zidane will nearly double his salary, going from 4.35 million euros a year to just shy of 8.
Under the Armour-Plating Plan Real Madrid are continuing with the policy of renewals they carried out last summer. A year ago they improved the terms of five key players: Lucas Vázquez (2021), Bale (2022), Kroos (2022), Modric (2020) and Cristiano (2021). With his year's new deals, the club have the spine of the side well protected from attack.
