Real Madrid, Premier League clubs eye Morocco’s goalkeeper, Bounou

The Moroccan keeper has become the first African goalkeeper to keep three clean sheets in a World Cup tournament.

As a result, speculations are rife here that  big European clubs such as Real Madrid and some Premier League heavy-hitters are looking at Morocco’s Yassine Bounou for a potential signing, following his World Cup performances.

Defensa Central, a Spanish news website focusing on Spanish club Real Madrid, reported that Los Blancos have been following the World Cup closely, and that they might sign the Moroccan star as a substitute for Belgian player Thibaut Courtois.

Spanish outlet dedicated to football transfers Fichajes has also reported that the keeper is being eyed by some Premier League clubs, with some reports suggesting that it could be Manchester United competing for Bounou’s talent.

Fichajes said that a transfer could be feasible, despite Bounou being a regular for the Sevilla FC squad, as the club might need to gain some income to strengthen its economic situation.

Bounou has only let one goal enter his net so far this tournament, even shutting down two of Spain’s attempts in the penalty shootout that saw Morocco progress to the World Cup’s quarter-finals.

The keeper thus became the first goalkeeper from Africa to have three clean sheets in a World Cup tournament, after also stopping several attempts to score by the Portuguese squad on Saturday.

Bounou won La Liga’s Zamora trophy, making him the best goalkeeper in the Spanish top-flight league. He was also shortlisted by France Football as one of the best goalkeepers in the world.