Bounou’s return to Al-Hilal puts transfer decision on hold

Yassine Bounou has reported to Al-Hilal’s training camp in Austria, providing a practical indication that he remains part of the Saudi club’s plans as preparations for the new season continue.

The Morocco goalkeeper’s arrival follows a series of reports linking him with a move away from Al-Hilal during the summer transfer window. Several European clubs have reportedly shown interest in signing him, while there has also been speculation that Al-Hilal are considering changes to their foreign-player list.

By joining his team-mates in Austria, Bounou has made clear that he is continuing his preparations with Al-Hilal, at least for now. His presence at the camp does not entirely settle the question of his long-term future, but it offers the clearest indication yet of his immediate intentions.

Bounou had been linked with a number of possible European destinations in recent weeks. Those reports raised the possibility that he could leave Al-Hilal, but the goalkeeper has instead chosen to attend the club’s pre-season camp and follow the same preparation programme as the rest of the squad.

His decision to take part in the team’s work in Austria comes as Al-Hilal build towards the start of the new campaign under Italian manager Simone Inzaghi. The former Inter Milan manager is seeking to take the squad to the highest possible level of readiness before the club’s domestic and continental competitions begin.

The goalkeeper’s attendance is therefore a significant development in a transfer story that remains unresolved. It shows that Bounou is currently training as an Al-Hilal player, while leaving open the possibility of a change before the transfer window closes.

The final days of the market are expected to determine whether the Morocco international stays with “Al-Zaeem” or receives an offer that leads him to pursue a different destination. Until then, his arrival in Austria represents a clear commitment to Al-Hilal’s preparations, rather than confirmation that all uncertainty surrounding his future has disappeared.

For the moment, Bounou will continue working under Inzaghi alongside his Al-Hilal team-mates as the club prepares for the demands of the upcoming season. The goalkeeper’s next move, however, will depend on developments during the closing stages of the transfer window.