Sevilla goalkeeper Yassine Bounou is Real Madrid’s number one choice to fill the void left by injured Thibaut Courtois but the club are still looking for other alternatives due to the high price paid to sign the Morocco international, sources have confirmed to ESPN.
Real Madrid are also eyeing David de Gea and Chelsea keeper Kepa, but sources have told ESPN that Bounou is considered the best candidate for coach Carlo Ancelotti.
Courtois has torn the ACL in his left knee in training and will undergo surgery in the coming days, Madrid announced on Thursday.
Sources have told ESPN that Courtois will be out for six to seven months.
Bounou joined Sevilla from Girona in 2019 and is one of the best goalkeepers in La Liga.
The 32-year-old also helped the Andalusian club win the Europa League twice and was instrumental in helping Morocco reach the World Cup semi-finals in Qatar last year.
The problem for Madrid is that Sevilla are well aware of the high reputation of their keeper and are not going to let him go easily.
Bayern Munich had tried to sign him but failed in the current transfer window after being informed of Sevilla’s asking price.
Sources have told ESPN that Sevilla president Jose Castro spoke to Florentino Perez and asked for more than 30 million euros ($33 million) to start negotiations.
According to sources, Madrid will try to lower Sevilla’s asking price but if Bounou’s move falls through, Madrid will have other alternatives, including De Gea and Kepa.
De Gea, who nearly signed for Madrid in 2015, is currently clubless after his contract with Manchester United expired in the summer but is not first choice at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Sources add that Kepa, who Madrid have chased in the past, is also on their radar but if they decide to move for the Chelsea goalkeeper they will try to sign him on loan.
