The football scene is witnessing notable activity as the clubs Al-Hilal and Al-Ittihad enter into a fierce competition to secure the signing of a prominent local goalkeeper, aiming to strengthen the goalkeeping position during the upcoming winter transfer window.

Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper revealed that Al-Hilal and Al-Ittihad have placed Ahmed Al-Kassar, the goalkeeper of Al-Qadsiah, at the top of their priorities for the January 2026 transfer window.

The sources explained that Al-Qadsia's management currently refuses to let Al-Kassar go due to the low financial offers from both parties and their insistence on keeping the goalkeeper as a key member of the team.

Ahmed Al-Kassar, 34 years old, has a contract with Al-Qadisiyah for one and a half seasons, giving his club greater flexibility to negotiate and set its financial terms.

Al Hilal aims to sign Al-Kassar to fill the expected gap in the goalkeeper position during the absence of the Moroccan Yassine Bono, who is occupied with participating in the Africa Cup of Nations.

Al Hilal had previously attempted to sign Al-Kassar during the last summer transfer window, but the deal was not completed. The club then moved on to sign the French goalkeeper Mathieu Baudry.

On the other hand, Al-Ittihad aims to secure the goalkeeper position by signing Al-Kassar, especially given the frequent absences of the Serbian goalkeeper Predrag Rajković due to injuries.