Real Madrid Five stars already earmarked

Real Madrid are the team to beat in Europe this season, and as they look to continue their dominance, five of the club's players - Isco, Marco Asensio, Marcelo, Dani Carvajal and Raphael Varane - are set to extend their contracts.

Since stepping up as first team coach, Zinedine Zidane has had his ideas endorsed by every member of the Los Blancos first team and that's why there are no doubts that his stars will continue at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu.

Regardless of the panic in Barcelona at their failure to keep Neymar at the Camp Nou, the capital city side have been consistent in prolonging the contracts of their own vital performers, with Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale, Toni Kroos and Luka Modric renewing last season.

Aside from the five aforementioned, Karim Benzema is the sixth man who isn't far off extending his stay, whilst Zidane has renewed his own deal until 2020, as reported by MARCA.

Madrid's ability to continue with its important spine demonstrates the harmony between every squad and staff member at the European champions.

In a bid to fend off unwanted interest, the LaLiga side have a strong and prompt protocol in relation to securing their player's rights, with only the lack of signatures now preventing the club from making the contract extensions official.

One of the most crucial renewals is for Malaga-born Isco, the magician who helped steer his side to success in the dying stages of last season.

The midfielder has started 2017/18 strongly and has been given the confidence to express himself on the pitch alongside his teammates.

A contract until 2021 and a colossal 700 million euros release clause is on the cards.

Next in line is Asensio, the 21-year-old continuing to dazzle during every opportunity he gets. Despite only renewing in 2016, he is expected to pen to paper to keep him in Madrid until 2023.

As for the experienced and ever-present full-backs, both Marcelo and Carvajal have become the rightful and undisputed owners of their positions and both will sign on until 2022.

Playing until the end of the proposed new contract would bring the Brazilian to the age of 34 and 15 seasons as a Madridista, whilst his Spanish defensive partner would be 30 by then.

In the centre of defence, Varane will stay at the club until 2022 at least, after becoming a main fixture alongside Sergio Ramos in Madrid's back four.

Benzema's current contract ends in 2019 and this will be extended for a further two years.