Manchester City eyeing Al-Hilal’s Yassine Bounou after Club World Cup performance
Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City are reportedly interested in Yassine Bounou, widely known as Bono, following the Moroccan goalkeeper’s standout performance for Al-Hilal in the Club World Cup.
The 33-year-old stopper was a decisive figure in Al-Hilal’s surprise victory over City, drawing attention from both fans and scouts. Now, the Premier League champions may be considering him as a goalkeeping reinforcement for next season.
Bono Shines Against the Cityzens
In one of the tournament’s most talked-about matches, Bono delivered a commanding display, denying Erling Haaland and other City attackers with multiple key saves. His composure, reflexes, and leadership stood out especially in a high-stakes environment.
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Following the match, Bono was spotted having a lighthearted exchange with Haaland, fueling speculation of a potential move to Manchester.
Bono’s Experience and Background
Bono, a Morocco international, has built a solid reputation in Europe, especially during his successful stint at Sevilla, where he was instrumental in their 2020 UEFA Europa League triumph. He moved to Al-Hilal in 2023, where he quickly became a starter and one of the squad’s leaders.
- Age: 34
- Current Club: Al-Hilal (Saudi Arabia)
- Market Value: €5.5 million (via Sofascore)
- Contract: Signed in 2023
- National Team: Morocco – 2022 World Cup Semi-finalist
Why Manchester City Are Interested
Manchester City are not necessarily looking to replace Ederson, their long-standing first-choice goalkeeper, but are re-evaluating their goalkeeping depth. With Stefan Ortega’s contract situation uncertain and Ederson occasionally linked with Saudi clubs, Bono could offer veteran experience and quality as a backup or even as competition for the No. 1 spot.
No Formal Offer—Yet
As of now, no official bid has been reported. However, according to Fichajes, Pep Guardiola has already expressed admiration for the Moroccan’s style and consistency. City’s interest may solidify during the summer transfer window, depending on internal squad decisions.
