The Africa Cup of Nations is the reason why Bono did not join Real Madrid

By deciding to leave Sevilla this summer, Yassine "Bono" Bounou has become one of the most sought-after players on the market. Real Madrid (due to Thibaut Courtois' injury) and Bayern Munich wanted him, however, the Moroccan ended up in Saudi Arabia.

The deal with Bayern failed as the Bavarians wanted him only on loan until Manuel Neuer recovered, which did not suit Sevilla, and in an interview with the Spanish radio station Canal Sur, Bono revealed why the transfer to Real Madrid failed.

The experienced goalkeeper claims to have been Carlo Ancelotti's first choice after Courtois was injured, but international commitments with Morocco and participation in the next Africa Cup of Nations have spoiled a potential transfer of his career.

"That's how I understood it. When they analyzed the situation and realized that due to participation in the Africa Cup of Nations, I would miss a large number of games in an important period for Real Madrid, the club management gave up on my arrival. In addition, they had a backup option that was more convenient for them (Kepa)," explained the new goalkeeper of Al-Hilal.

Bono eventually ended up in Saudi Arabia, and the financially shaken Sevilla received a little more than 20,000,000 euros. Unlike him, the other Morocco international, Youssef En-Nesyri, remained in Andalucia despite announcements that he would also change clubs.

"The Africa Cup of Nations has greatly affected both of them in this transfer window, but Youssef knows how to deal with the situation and he is fine, I don't think he is sad. His goal is to have a successful season, and as the transfer window is over all Sevilla players will now concentrate on the team and the challenges ahead. I am convinced that we will see a different Sevilla compared to last season," expects the Moroccan custodian, who was a member of Sevilla for the previous four years.