With Real Madrid having lost one of their star players to a long-term knee injury this week, an African star is now reportedly the favoured replacement for the player.
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Earlier this week, Los Blancos confirmed that goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois had sustained an anterior cruciate ligament injury and is expected to sit on the sidelines for up to nine months as a result.
That means the Belgium international could miss the entire 2023/24 campaign, and while the record UEFA Champions League winners have the names of Unai Simon, Kepa Arrizabalaga, Keylor Navas, Giorgi Mamardashvili and David de Gea on their list of potential replacements, it is Morocco shot-stopper Yassine Bounou whom they want most for the position, according to AS.
The LALIGA giants are believed to be massive fans of the 32-year-old because of his winning mentality as well as his imposing stature.
The Canadian-born goalkeeper had a fantastic 2022 FIFA World Cup run with his nation, and has also tasted success in recent years with Sevilla in the UEFA Europa League, winning the competition in two of the past four seasons.
It is this winning mentality that is said to appeal to the chiefs at Valdebebas as they think he will be able to handle the pressure of the Santiago Bernabeu as a result.
The same report, however, also claims that Los Merengues are not willing to pay much more than €20 million (R414 million) for his services.
Bounou is contracted to Sevilla for the next two seasons, and is rumoured to have a €50 million (R1 billion) release clause in his deal, but Real are hoping they can negotiate for his signature for less.
Another concern the Spanish juggernauts have is the goalkeeper's expected involvement at the Africa Cup of Nations in January 2024.
The Atlas Lions, as one of the favourites, are expected to go far in the tournament, which could mean that Real would be without the 55-time international for the entire month.
The expectation, however, is that a deal can be reached and that he is the most likely replacement for his former Atletico Madrid teammate Courtois.
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