Speculation regarding Yassine Bounou’s departure from Al Hilal has intensified, as the club’s management considers registering the Moroccan goalkeeper exclusively for the AFC Champions League Elite next season, omitting him from the domestic squad list.
According to Moroccan outlet LeSiteinfo, Al Hilal officials are weighing the option of relying on Mohammed Al-Owais for Saudi Pro League and King Cup fixtures. This move would free up a valuable foreign player slot to reinforce another position on the pitch.
These developments follow Al Hilal’s official announcement re-signing Al-Owais on a two-year contract after his standout performances for the Saudi national team at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The Saudi goalkeeper has already joined the team’s pre-season training camp in Austria.
However, the 35-year-old Moroccan international is reportedly against the idea of a reduced role confined to continental fixtures, as he remains determined to play regular first-team football and maintain his starting status.
Al Hilal management is expected to hold a decisive meeting with Bounou upon his return from holiday to clarify his situation and determine whether he will accept the proposed role or explore transfer offers elsewhere.
While omitting Bounou from the domestic roster does not guarantee an immediate exit, it significantly raises the likelihood of his departure—especially if the coaching staff prioritizes Al-Owais on the domestic front.
Al Hilal had extended Bounou’s contract in October 2025 through June 2028, rewarding his impressive performances since joining from Sevilla, which helped the club secure a domestic treble: the Saudi Pro League, King Cup, and Saudi Super Cup.
The prospect of letting Bounou go appears particularly unexpected given his stellar display at the 2026 World Cup. The Moroccan stopper guided The Atlas Lions to the quarter-finals, finishing the tournament with 19 saves and ranking fourth among goalkeepers in defensive efficiency. He also saved a penalty from Kylian Mbappé, equaling the all-time World Cup record for most penalty saves (including shootouts) with four.
