According to a report by Spanish outlet Fichajes, Bono is the subject of interest from Manchester City. The Citizens are keen on reinforcing their first-team squad by signing a goalkeeper in the summer transfer window amid uncertainties surrounding Ederson Moraes’s long-term future. So, the Al-Hilal mainstay has emerged as a target for the Premier League club.
Yassine Bounou, better known as Bono, has been one of the most highly-rated goalkeepers in the world in the last half a decade. A native of Montreal, the African shot-stopper spent his formative years in Morocco after joining Wydad Casablanca as an eight-year-old in 1999. He progressed through the ranks at the club before breaking into the first-team squad in 2011.
However, the 34-year-old finally landed on his feet after joining Sevilla from Girona half a dozen years ago. The experienced goalkeeper was instrumental in the Andalucian club’s two triumphant UEFA Europa League campaigns in the 2019/20 and 2022/23 seasons. In addition, he was arguably the best goalkeeper at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
However, the Moroccan international surprisingly moved outside Europe by joining Al-Hilal in August 2023, and he has been exceptional for the Saudi Pro League outfit. He was recently on top of his game as Al-Hilal beat Manchester City in the FIFA Club World Cup round of 16. The match-winning performance has piqued the attention of Manchester City, with the Premier League club keen on signing him in the summer transfer window.
Manchester City’s interest in Bono is understandable, even though the experienced goalkeeper is approaching the twilight of his career. Ederson Moraes faces an uncertain future at the Etihad this summer amid his relentless links with Saudi Pro League clubs. In addition, the Brazilian shot-stopper has been inconsistent in the last few seasons.
So, several candidates, including Gianluigi Donnarumma, have emerged on Manchester City’s radar, with the Al-Hilal shot-stopper also a viable target. The Montreal-born shot-stopper has swayed the decision-making at Manchester City after his match-winning performance in the FIFA Club World Cup round of 16.
However, the move will unlikely see the light of day unless Ederson departs from the Etihad in the summer transfer window. So, it will be interesting to see if the 34-year-old Moroccan international joins Manchester City in the coming weeks.
