Karim Benzema 'to pen new long-term Real Madrid deal'

Karim Benzema is reportedly on the verge of signing a new five-year contract with Real Madrid.

The Frenchman moved to the Bernabeu from Lyon in 2009, and has scored 180 goals in 365 appearances for Los Blancos - winning two La Liga titles, two Copa del Reys and three Champions League trophies in the process.

It had been suggested that the possible arrival of AS Monaco youngster Kylian Mbappe, who has been linked with a world-record move to Spain, would see Benzema leave Madrid this summer, but according to Marca, the 29-year-old is seen as 'untouchable'.

The report claims that Real will look to extend Benzema's contract until the summer of 2022, with head coach Zinedine Zidane seeing his fellow Frenchman as a key part of his plans moving forward.

Benzema only managed 19 goals in 48 appearances during the 2016-17 campaign, although he scored seven times in 16 Champions League matches as the Spanish giants became the first team in the modern era to successfully defend the European Cup.