Bono has made up his mind and is close to Real Madrid move

Yassine Bono is clear on what he wants. Sevilla’s Moroccan goalkeeper, who was declared as the favorite to replace Thibaut Courtois on Thursday, was really close to accepting an offer from Saudi Arabian football… until Real Madrid entered the picture.

The club combed the market to find a guaranteed goalkeeper to take over the starting role because Andriy Lunin does not quite convey the necessary confidence; and among the names that came to the fore (De Gea, Kepa, Keylor Navas…), Bono was the goalkeeper who gained the most points.

Several options appeared on the table at Valdebebas… but the pressure from the 32-year-old goalkeeper, who prefers to continue playing in Europe, has been fundamental for the talks between Real Madrid and Sevilla to begin.

A good understanding between the two clubs exists… but that does not mean in any way that the goalkeeper will be signed at any price.

Bono has a contract until 2025 and a buyout clause valued at 50 million euros. Bono convinced Los Blancos with his experienced profile, his winning character and his height, the closest thing to Courtois along with Valencia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili.

“We have time until the 31st, behind Lunin the goalkeepers have potential, but they are young. We will think about it.

Fran is 17 years old, if we sign him, we will do it by number, because we have confidence in Lunin,” Carlo Ancelotti said at the press conference ahead of the league opener against Athletic at San Mames.

A first contact at Ciudad Real Madrid that served to convey a message of confidence in Lunin… But without closing the door on an addition.

“In the next few days we’ll see if we add another goalkeeper to the squad,” he confirmed.

Bono’s small print

Sevilla’s Moroccan goalkeeper will leave in January for the Africa Cup of Nations and could miss up to 13 competitive matches.

A small print to take into account… as his departure after the Christmas break could have a lot of bearing on the negotiations.

Bono would not be available for the last matchday of the first round, which is usually played in early January.

In addition, until 11 February, when the final of the tournament is played, there are up to five more LaLiga fixtures on the calendar, four rounds of the Copa del Rey (up to the first leg of the semi-finals) and the Spanish Super Cup (semi-finals and final).

If Morocco reach the final, Bono would also be absent for the first leg of the Champions League round of 16, which takes place between 13 and 14 February.