Real Madrid are facing the Saudi Pro League competition in order to sign the Chelsea star

Real Madrid are facing new competition from Saudi Pro League side Al Ittihad in their bid to re-sign goalkeeper Kepa Arrizalabaga, according to a report.

The Spanish stopper spent last season on loan at the Santiago Bernabeu after Thibaut Courtois suffered a long-term injury to his anterior cruciate ligament. He was eventually snapped up by Andriy Lunin, who earned cult hero status with key performances in Los Blancos' La Liga and Champions League double-winning campaign.

Madrid initially had no plans to bring back Arrizalabaga for the 2024/25 season but soon saw a dramatic U-turn in their situation, with Lunin's future also factoring into their thinking.

However, MARCA now they say Kepa has a contract offer from Al Ittihad, which they add will be 'hard to refuse'.

Al Ittihad finished fifth in the 2023/24 Saudi Pro League, failing to defend the title they won last season despite signing star players Karim Benzema, N'Golo Kante and Fabinho.

Kepa, 29, has become the most expensive goalkeeper after Chelsea splashed out €80m (£72m) to sign him from Athletic Club in 2018. So far he has played 109 games in the Premier League, but lost his place to Edouard. Mendy in 2020.

The Blues now have Robert Sanchez and Djordje Petrovic to choose from under new coach Enzo Maresca. They were linked with Aaron Ramsdale, who lost his place at Arsenal to new arrival David Raya, however. 90 min He understands the west London side are unlikely to make a bid for the England international this summer.

Chelsea have been one of the busiest Premier League sides during the summer transfer window so far, bringing in the likes of Tosin Adarabioyo, Omari Kellyman, Marc Guiu and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall. They also saw the likes of Ian Maatsen, Hakim Ziyech, Omari Hutchinson, Lewis Hall and Thiago Silva leave permanently.

Having lost out to Bayern Munich in the race for Crystal Palace midfielder Michael Olise, the German giants announced a £45m move on Sunday.

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