Benzema's new Real deal has one billion euro buyout clause: Reports

Real Madrid's French forward Karim Benzema has signed a new contract at the club, which includes a one billion euro ($1.2 billion) buyout clause, according to local media reports.

Spanish and European champions Real announced on Wednesday that Benzema had signed a three-year extension to his current deal, which was due to expire at the end of next season, taking him through to 2021.

Benzema follows in the footsteps of team mates Marcelo, Isco and Dani Carvajal, who have all penned new deals over the past two weeks containing clauses designed to avoid a repeat of the Neymar situation experienced by Barcelona in the close season.

Real’s rivals Barca were caught off-guard when Paris St Germain triggered the 222 million euro buyout clause in Neymar’s contract, which paved the way for the Brazil forward to move to the French club in August.

By law, contracts in Spain must feature a buyout clause and Madrid have moved to ensure their top players' deals contain unattainably high clauses. AS reported that Benzema’s buyout clause now matches team mate Cristiano Ronaldo's.

Real were not immediately available to comment.

Benzema's new deal means the forward, who is sidelined with a hamstring problem, is set to spend over a decade at Madrid, where he has been a regular first choice since joining in 2009.

He has made 247 Liga appearances for Real, netting 122 goals, and is the third-highest scorer currently active in the Champions League behind Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.

($1 = 0.8338 euros)