The keeper depart to Al-Hilal and leaves Sevilla with a clear financial windfall of around 20 million euros.
Bono’s final contribution to Sevilla did not culminate in another trophy for the rojiblancas. The Moroccan shot-stopper had once again appeared capable of being the hero, repelling strikes from City’s forwards and producing a heroic save in a penalty shootout where he nearly denied the last English attempt. That moment, however, marked the end of his time with Sevilla, since he did not travel back with the rest of the squad after the match in Athens. Instead, he stayed behind to join Al-Hilal directly from the Greek capital, heading to Saudi Arabia to finalize the contract terms and undergo a medical examination ahead of the new chapter in his career.
The transfer agreement with Sevilla is valued at roughly 20 million euros. After the final whistle, all the leading figures spoke about the goalkeeper’s departure, and it had long become an open secret. Perhaps the most telling comment came from Mendilibar, who, in the post-match press conference following the penalty shootout defeat, suggested that Bono was unlikely to be Sevilla’s goalkeeper for the upcoming season.
With Bono’s exit, Sevilla faces the immediate task of identifying a reliable replacement for a position that has been well covered in recent years. Dominik Livakovic, the Croatia national team’s starting goalkeeper, has emerged as the primary candidate. The Dinamo Zagreb custodian has been a familiar name in conversations about potential signings, increasingly linked with several Spanish clubs in recent weeks.
Another name that has circulated in the Spanish press is Ugurcan Cakir, the Turkish international who stars for Trabzonspor. According to the newspaper As, he is among the options on Victor Orta’s list as Sevilla looks to inject fresh competition and experience into the goalkeeping department. The club’s market activity has begun to pick up as the transfer window approaches its closing moments, with executives seeking to balance ambition with financial prudence while fortifying the squad’s spine for the season ahead.
As Sevilla contemplates life after Bono, the club must navigate the delicate balance of continuity and renewal in a position that has long provided stability. The goalkeeper position has proven to be a cornerstone for the team in recent seasons, offering leadership and a shield for a defense that has sometimes been vulnerable under pressure. The incoming arrivals will need to adapt quickly to the demands of La Liga and European competition, delivering consistency and composure when it matters most. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely how the club approaches this transitional period, hoping for a seamless transition that preserves the team’s competitive rhythm and tactical identity. The road to augmenting the squad’s guardrails at the back is now clear, but the path there requires careful scouting, smart negotiations, and a sense of urgency as the window narrows. (Goal)