Makelele agrees new Real deal

The French international had been determined to persuade the Real paymasters to relent to his vocal requests of an improved deal.

After a meeting between the player's representatives and Real president Florentino Perez and sporting director Jorge Valdano, Makelele has been rewarded with an enhanced contract.

There is no extension to his deal which expires in 2006 but he has secured an increased pay packet and once he puts pen-to-paper, it should quash rumours of a move to Internazionale.

Makelele has been a revelation for Real since arriving from Celta Vigo in the summer of 2000 and superbly anchors the engine room.

The 29-year-old's buy-out clause is also believed to have been raised to ‚é¼90 million (£57 million) to ward off any potential suitors.

He is expected to sign the contract by the end of the month and was satisfied to resolve the issue, saying: "I am content at Real Madrid."