Goalkeeper Bono (32), who moved to Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia in mid-August, revealed that he almost went to Real Madrid. A transfer from FC Sevilla to the “Royal” failed, however, apparently due to the Moroccan’s upcoming participation in the Africa Cup of Nations, which would have involved a week-long absence in winter.
“I was the first choice at Real Madrid,” Bono explained on the radio station.El Pelotazo‘ and stated that the tournament in Ivory Coast complicated the deal. In the meantime, the veteran was also one of several candidates at FC Bayern. There were rumors about a departure half a year ago, but the right timing didn’t seem to have been found for Bono. “There were offers in December, but I didn’t feel like it was the right time.”
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It was different this transfer summer. Al-Hilal sold the keeper for a fee of 21 million euros and a net salary of 12 million euros a year and gave him a contract until 2026. After 142 appearances for Sevilla, Bono wanted to leave this time. “It’s difficult when you leave a club where you’ve spent your best years since you’ve been in Europe,” said the goalkeeper, adding: “I felt like it was time to go. I had given everything I had in me. I didn’t have the same energy anymore.”
Instead of Bono, Real Madrid finally got Kepa Arrizabalaga (28) on loan from Chelsea, who – much more specifically than the Moroccan – was about to be transferred to the German record champions in Munich. “They were intense days, to put it that way. But when I had the offer from Real Madrid, everything was clear to me,” said Kepa, who stands in for Thibaut Courtois (31) with a knee injury in Madrid.
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