An African star has now revealed his frustration after his proposed move to Real Madrid in the latest transfer window failed due to his international duties.
Morocco international Yassine "Bono" Bounou was among many of those who made the big switch to Saudi Arabia in recent weeks, having joined Al Hilal from Sevilla in a deal worth €21 million (R432 million).
Read: African giants 'pressure' Real Madrid star ahead of AFCON
While he signed a three-year deal with the Saudi Pro League side, it was no secret before that that Real were keen to sign him after their No. 1 Thibaut Courtois suffered a long-term injury, one that will see him miss a vast amount of the 2023/24 season.
With Bounou having been shortlisted among several goalkeepers by the Spanish giants, he has now revealed the move never materialised because of his expected participation at the next Africa Cup of Nations, with Los Blancos signing Kepa Arrizabalaga on loan from Chelsea instead.
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"I was the first option [for Real]. That's what I understand," the Atlas Lions shot-stopper told Canal Sur Radio.
"Afterwards, the board analysed the whole situation, saw that I could go to the Africa Cup of Nations and miss a lot of games in an important month for Madrid... it was not possible.
"In addition, they had other options in the form of a loan that came better."
"... The Africa Cup thing has had a lot of influence on this market, both for me and for Youssef [En-Nesyri]."
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The next AFCON, which Morocco have already qualified for, is scheduled to start on 13 January 2024 in the Ivory Coast and will end on 11 February, just two days before the start of the UEFA Champions League's round of 16 stage.
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