Reportedly announced at Real Madrid, which ultimately chose Spanish goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, Yassine Bounou is expected to join Saudi Arabia this summer, at Al Hilal, where he would be hitting the jackpot, at least in comparison to what he earns at FC Sevilla.
The hero of FC Sevilla’s Europa League victory last season, Yassine Bounou is on the verge of reaching an agreement with the Saudi club Al Hilal, according to information reported by Spanish sports media on Tuesday. This information was confirmed on Wednesday by the goalkeeping coach of the Andalusian club, following his team’s defeat to Manchester City (1-1, 4-5 on penalties) in the UEFA Super Cup.
“I think he’ll be leaving. He has open doors in Saudi Arabia,” said José Luis Mendilibar, also regretting that the transfer market remains open even after the start of the season.
According to Spanish media AS and Marca, Al Hilal would be ready to pay the €20 million demanded by Sevilla for the transfer of their goalkeeper, whose contract with the Iberian club runs until 2025. In Saudi Arabia, Bounou (32 years old) would sign a three-year contract with an annual salary of €15 million, according to the press.
If this transaction materializes, the Moroccan international will join new recruits at Al Hilal, including Milinkovic-Savic, Malcom, Ruben Neves, Koulibaly, and Brazilian star Neymar, whose arrival at the club was announced earlier in the day.
Following his remarkable performance with the Moroccan national team in the World Cup in Qatar, where the country reached the semi-finals, and his success with FC Sevilla in winning the Europa League, the Lion of the Atlas garnered interest from several top European teams, including Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, and Bayern Munich.
