Dani Carvajal has suggested that he is willing to be patient regarding a new contract at Real Madrid.
The right-back has been absent from Zinedine Zidane's first-team squad since the end of September due to injury, a setback which has come at a time when Los Blancos have issues both on and off the pitch.
While the long-serving defender has acknowledged that discussions have gotten underway, the Spaniard has hinted that he is in no rush to put extra financial pressure on the La Liga champions.
Speaking to Marca, the 28-year-old said: "We are dealing with the club. I am now in 2022 and we are talking about improving the contract, but it is not an easy situation.
"In the end, with the whole situation we are experiencing, it is something complex because it is not the main thing. I think you have to lean a little shoulder to the club.
"They are not having good times financially, the stadium cannot be opened and it is something difficult for an entity that has a lot of income through these means and well, the renovation for the moment has to be left a bit on the sidelines and focus above all on playing and trying clean up the club. That, in the end, it is not an easy situation for the leaders."
Carvajal has made a total of 279 appearances for Real since making his debut in 2013.