News that there is competition for the Real Madrid man's signature is sure to worry Hull fans who have seen a number of strike targets go elsewhere this summer.

Alvaro Negredo was thought to be due in the North East tomorrow to wrap up his move from The Bernabeu to the KC Stadium, but it's just like old times at Hull. Now, Real Zaragoza are set to gazump the deal and leave Tigers boss Phil Brown frustrated yet again.

According to reports emerging from the Spanish press, talks between Zaragoza and the 23-year-old goal machine are at an advanced stage, and he may still decide to stay in the country of his birth.

A £12milliion deal was being prepared for the ace, who netted 32 times in the league for Almeria, while on-loan from Real Madrid during the last two seasons.

It would be a bitter blow for Hull to lose out yet again. Michael Owen, Fraizer Campbell and Bobby Zamora have all snubbed The Tigers and now Negredo may be about to do the same.

The players agent Alejandro Camano confirmed that it was now a two horse race to land the ace.

"Now it is a race between Hull City and Zaragoza."