Manchester United are ready to step up their interest in Moroccan goalkeeper Yassine Bounou, valued at €50 million by Sevilla.
According to Fichajes, Yassine Bounou remains on Manchester United’s radar ahead of the summer. The Red Devils have yet to decide on David De Gea’s future, which takes them back to pursuing Morocco’s World Cup hero from Sevilla.
Manchester United will kickstart their second phase of squad building under Erik ten Hag when the summer transfer window opens. Plenty of areas need strengthening, for which the club will have a significant budget for the manager’s disposal.
One of the areas that Manchester United could strengthen is the No.1 spot. David de Gea has been at the helm for over a decade as he comes to a pivotal stage in his Old Trafford career. His contract expires in 2023, but he is yet to agree on a new deal with the club.
There has been talk of Manchester United readying a new deal for de Gea. But at this stage, they are also looking at possible alternatives. Ten Hag wants someone who could take over from the Spaniard and solidify the No.1 position from next season onwards.
The Manchester United manager wants a consistent presence between the sticks, and several options have been reportedly explored. Names like Illan Meslier and David Raya are potential targets for Manchester United, with Yassine Bounou also on their list.
Reports from January suggested Manchester United had opened talks with Bounou over a possible move. Sevilla were not interested in allowing the Moroccan goalkeeper to depart. The World Cup hero came onto the shortlist of many clubs after some terrific performances in Qatar.
Sevilla are aware of the growing interest in the 31-year-old, but despite their financial troubles, they do not wish to sell him. He has a contract until 2025 with an asking price of €50 million. While clubs like Manchester United are unlikely to pay that kind of money for the Moroccan, they could negotiate the price down.
Tottenham are also interested in Bounou, with Antonio Conte seeking a quality replacement for Hugo Lloris. Yet, the prospect of signing for Manchester United could have a large attraction. For now, Manchester United may seek an agreement with de Gea to continue his career at Old Trafford. If that does not materialise, Bounou and others could become targets for ten Hag.
