La Liga champions Real Madrid are reportedly considering signing Morocco’s 31-year-old World Cup hero Yassine Bounou from Sevilla.
According to a report by Spanish outlet Defensa Central, Yassine Bounou has popped up on the radar of Real Madrid. The reigning La Liga champions are mulling over launching the offensive for the 31-year-old Sevilla goalkeeper, who has been a heroic figure for Morocco at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Yassine Bounou is a quintessential late bloomer as he rose to prominence in his late 20s. The Moroccan international could not make his mark at Atletico Madrid while going under the radar at Girona. But a loan stint with Sevilla in the 2019/20 season brought him into the spotlight as Los Nervionenses won the UEFA Europa League.
Sevilla then signed the 31-year-old permanently after his exploits in the Europa League. And Bono has been top-class for the Andalusian club, keeping 53 clean sheets in 120 outings. Meanwhile, the experienced goalkeeper has been sensational at the 2022 FIFA World Cup with Morocco, with his exploits alerting Real Madrid.
Real Madrid might part ways with Andriy Lunin in the summer transfer window. The Ukrainian goalkeeper has been solid whenever he has had the opportunity to make his mark. But he might depart from the Santiago Bernabeu at the end of the season to secure regular game time elsewhere.
Real Madrid might thus have to scour the market for a goalkeeper in the summer transfer window. To that end, several goalkeepers have emerged on Los Blancos’ radar, including Yann Sommer. And Bono is also a viable target for Real Madrid, particularly after his exploits at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
But the 31-year-old might not be open to joining Real Madrid to play a backup role, especially as he is coming into his own. Joining some other club might suit him better. Aston Villa and Manchester United are also interested in Bono. And with David de Gea’s future being uncertain, joining Manchester United might be a better decision.
Meanwhile, Bono’s price tag worth €30 million might not be pricey. But it is a steep amount to invest in a backup goalkeeper. So the stars will unlikely align for Bono and Real Madrid. As for the 31-year-old, he will be focused on the World Cup after Morocco made history by reaching the semi-finals on Saturday at Portugal’s expense.
