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Rabat – With controversy surrounding the benching of Yassine Bounou in recent matches by Sevilla FC’s new head coach, reports have emerged that the Moroccan goalkeeper rejected several offers from big clubs following the 2022 Qatar World Cup, pledging his loyalty to his Spanish club instead.
Germany’s Bayern Munich was among the clubs that had Bounou on their radar, but the Moroccan footballer was keen on staying with the Spanish club, sports outlet Relevo reported on Monday.
The Spanish outlet said that Bayern Munich contacted Bounou to acquire his services and “cover the loss” of their starting goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, who sustained a leg injury while away on a skiing holiday in January.
“The end of the year could have gone better… While trying to clear my head while ski touring I broke my lower leg,” said Neuer on social media, reassuring his fans that his operation “went very well.”
However, he regretted not being able to play for the remainder of the season. “It hurts me to know that the current season is over for me,” the goalkeeper said.
Faced with the urgent need to find a replacement for their main goalkeeper, the German club was keen on signing Bounou, who has been solid in Sevilla’s net over the past several seasons and produced spectacular saves with the Moroccan national team at the 2022 World Cup Qatar.
Read also: Yassine Bounou: I Had Offers But Could Not Leave Sevilla
With his stellar performances in Qatar, the Moroccan goalkeeper greatly contributed to the Atlas Lions’ World Cup success, helping Morocco become the first African and Arab country to reach the global tournament’s semi-finals.
In response to Bayern Munich’s offer, Bounou reiterated his loyalty to Sevilla, especially since the club has been facing a tough campaign in La Liga, Spain’s top-tier football league.
“The response was not as expected in Germany and was even surprising for all the parties involved in the operation, except for Bono himself,” Relevo said.
Shortly after Bono rejected their offer, Bayern Munich announced the signing of Swiss goalkeeper Yann Sommer.
Months later, Bounou lost his starting position in Sevilla to Serbian goalkeeper Marko Dmitrovic, raising concerns among the Moroccan goalkeeper’s fans who questioned the Sevilla head coach’s decision.
In response, Jose Luis Mendilibar, Sevilla’s newly-appointed manager, has suggested that his plans include playing both goalkeepers. “Dmitrovic is not my goalkeeper, they are both very good and Dmitrovic and Bono are going to play. Perhaps we have the best pair of goalkeepers in the League,” said Mendilibar.
