Ittihad Jeddah have suspended negotiations with Chelsea’s Spanish goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, according to Saudi reports.
The decision is based on Ittihad’s board’s assessment that the deal poses a risk that may not align with the club’s future ambitions and involves a level of uncertainty the club wishes to avoid.
The news is according to a report by Saudi publication Asharq Al-Awsat, which added that Ittihad’s board will look for an alternative option that meets a set of strict standards.
These standards include continuous participation at his current club, representation of his country internationally, and matching or exceeding the performance level of goalkeepers from other Saudi clubs.
This stresses the need to raise ambitions and commitment to stability and high performance after last season’s disastrous performances.
Ittihad Jeddah are on the lookout for a new goalkeeper following the departure of Marcelo Grohe and losing their target Bento to rivals Al-Nassr.
The club has already completed the signing of AS Roma midfielder Houssem Aouar and are now close to completing the signing of Aston Villa star Moussa Diaby.