Al Naboodah stays in pursuit of Adriano

Al Ahli chairman hasn’t given up hope of luring Brazilian striker

Al Ahli chairman Abdullah Al Naboodah hasn’t given up hope of signing Brazilian striker Luiz Adriano from Ukraine’s Shakhtar Donetsk despite the player reportedly backing out of negotiations.

Al Naboodah had tweeted last Wednesday that Shakhtar had agreed to an €8 million (Dh32.8 million) fee for Adriano, but Shakhtar coach Mircea Lucescu said the player was not interested in discussing personal terms.

Speaking in an Arabic TV interview, Al Naboodah said: “I had tweeted about this, that we did have an agreement with Shakhtar.

“Over the last three weeks we were close to a deal with the player. Things have changed a little over the last four or five days. But hopefully things are progressing to a positive resolution for Al Ahli. “I cannot give you a percentage [to success]. At the end of the day it’s all down to money. We must get to a figure that’s acceptable for us and the other party. It’s a matter of finances and hopefully in the coming days, things will become much clearer.”

Rangers’ snub

Meanwhile, Fujairah’s Algerian defender Madjid Bougherra has revealed his old club Glasgow Rangers snubbed his approach for a return to the Scottish outfit this summer.

The 33-year-old was nearing the end of a one-year deal with Fujairah when he made a proposal to rejoin the Scottish second tier side, in order to end his career at Ibrox.

However, Rangers spurned his advances and he has since signed a one-year extension with Fujairah.

“My wish was to go back to Rangers and finish my career there,” said the former Crewe Alexandra, Sheffield Wednesday and Charlton Athletic centre back. “I was out of contract and my dream would have been to play again with Rangers.