Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou faces an uncertain future at Al Hilal, with the Saudi Pro League champions considering removing him from their domestic squad to free up a foreign-player slot, despite his key role in last season’s trophy haul.
Bono, who joined Al Hilal from Sevilla in the 2023 summer transfer window, quickly established himself as one of the team’s standout performers. Since arriving in Riyadh, he has helped the club – widely known as “Al Zaeem” – secure five domestic titles and impressed on the global stage, particularly at the FIFA Club World Cup, where his performances drew widespread praise.
However, according to reports in Saudi Arabia, Al Hilal’s hierarchy are now assessing whether to deregister Bono from their local league list and instead reinstate Saudi Arabia international goalkeeper Mohammed Al Owais. The move is being considered to create space for a new foreign signing ahead of the upcoming campaign.
Talks planned after Bono’s return from holiday
Moroccan outlet “Le Site Info Sport” reports that Al Hilal officials are waiting for Bono to return from his summer break before holding a decisive meeting that will determine whether he stays or leaves during the current transfer window.
That discussion is expected to clarify whether the 33-year-old will remain a central figure at the club or be moved on as part of a wider reshaping of the foreign contingent in the squad.
The same report says Al Hilal are actively evaluating the option of selling Bono, amid interest from several clubs in England, Spain and Turkey. Those links, combined with the club’s desire to reorganise their foreign quota and rely on Al Owais as first-choice goalkeeper in domestic competitions, have pushed the Saudi champions towards a potential exit scenario.
Bono unwilling to settle for limited role
According to “Le Site Info Sport”, Bono is not inclined to stay at Al Hilal if he is relegated to a secondary role and used mainly in AFC Champions League Elite fixtures.
The report stresses that the former Sevilla and Girona goalkeeper, who was a key figure in Morocco’s run to the semi-finals of the 2022 World Cup, sees himself as a natural starter and “does not accept sitting on the bench for long periods”. Any plan that would turn him into a reserve option is therefore understood to be at odds with his competitive personality and ambitions.
Key decision looming for club and player
The coming days are expected to be crucial in resolving Bono’s status, as Al Hilal look to finalise their squad planning for next season.
On one side, the club are intent on reshaping their foreign-player list to accommodate fresh overseas recruits, leaning towards Al Owais as their primary domestic league goalkeeper. On the other, Bono is said to be firm in his stance that he must retain a starting role that reflects both his status and his contribution since joining the club.
How those priorities are reconciled in the impending meeting will determine whether Bono continues in Riyadh or pursues a move to one of the interested clubs in Europe or Turkey during the current window. For now, his future with Al Hilal remains finely balanced between the club’s strategic needs and the player’s refusal to be cast in a supporting role.
