Karim Benzema Reportedly Will Sign New Madrid Deal Despite Kylian Mbappe Talk

Real Madrid forward Karim Benzema will reportedly sign a new five-year deal with the club before the start of the season.

According to Pablo Polo of Marca, while Madrid are pushing hard to sign Kylian Mbappe from AS Monaco, they want to keep Benzema around too, with manager Zinedine Zidane believing the Blancos No. 9 is "untouchable."

Polo reported: "Zidane is aware that the task of rotating minutes around the two France internationals, Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale would be a challenge, especially as the potential new signing would wish for continued playing time."

Nevertheless, as Polo relayed, "even in the player's toughest moments of a long arduous season, Zidane came to his fellow countrymen's defence, despite the forward being the first to be subbed ahead of Bale and Ronaldo."

Football Espana shared Marca's front page, which provided details of the 29-year-old's contract extension:

Here's how Benzema may look alongside Mbappe in the iconic all-white strip next season:

It's clear Zidane rates Benzema, and in Madrid's biggest games last season, the 29-year-old was always the coach's first choice to lead the line. 

The Frenchman may be the least glamorous of Real's attackers, but he does a brilliant job for the team. Benzema is excellent with his back to goal, makes clever runs and is adept at bringing other players into the game.

Plus, he's can conjure important contributions in big moments. Per the UEFA Champions League Twitter account, he played an integral part in Madrid's crowning as kings of European football once again in 2017:

As is often the case with Real Madrid, in Mbappe they are pursuing the game's most exciting young attacker. And he could put a lot of pressure on Benzema in the battle for the centre-forward berth.

After all, the 18-year-old was sensational in his breakthrough season last term and undaunted by the big occasion. His fearless, dynamic and incisive style of play epitomised a Monaco side that entranced so many under Leonardo Jardim.

fotopress/Getty Images

But he's still young, and if he did make the move to Madrid and struggle initially, it'd be no surprise. That's why keeping Benzema around would make so much sense. Madrid midfielder Casemiro reminded the media recently that Real have some world-class players at the club already:

Mbappe would have a fine mentor in Benzema. As a Frenchman who made the move to Madrid at a young age—this will be his ninth season at the Santiago Bernabeu—he knows all about the pressures that accompany a move to the European champions. 

And while others looking from afar may want to see Madrid pack their XI with as many flamboyant figures as possible, Zidane appreciates Benzema's value. Even if Mbappe arrives, Real's No. 9 would take some shifting from the first team.