Al Nasr close in on Portugal international Almeida

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  • Powerhouse: Hugo Almeida.

    Portugal international Hugo Almeida is in Dubai negotiating with Al Nasr, as the Blue Wave prepare to dispatch controversial striker Ibrahima Toure out on loan.

    Almeida, 30, is available on a free transfer after his contract expired at Turkish giants Besiktas in July.

    The powerful frontman – who has scored 19 goals in 56 internationals and started the Seleccao's opening World Cup group game against Germany this summer before getting injured – has come into Nasr's plans following the fallout caused by Toure's violent assault on Bani Yas' Mohamed Jaber in the Arabian Gulf League opening round.

    The Senegal international, who scored 16 top-flight goals last term, has been banned for four games by the UAE Football Association and had his wages docked by his club.

    The situation has seen the Al Maktoum Stadium-outfit search for an alternative up top prior to the transfer window closing on October 2, with first team director Humaid Al Tayer confirming talks to bring in Almeida and send Toure to Qatar or Saudi Arabia have begun.

    He said: "We are currently negotiating with free agent Almeida, who has travelled to meet us in Dubai. We are talking about what he is thinking, but are yet to formally offer a contract.

    "Ibrahima is still our player. Now, we are looking around for what is potentially on offer for him elsewhere.

    "We have received lots of verbal interest in him from teams in the Arabian Gulf, but we are yet to receive an official bid. We are thinking about sending him out on loan if one of the interested clubs from Qatar or Saudi Arabia makes an official bid."

    Nasr's four foreign player slots are currently filled by Toure, Australian attacking midfielder Brett Holman, Brazilian centre midfielder Renan Garcia and Macedonia forward Ivan Trickovski.

    Almeida would only be able to sign for them if one was to depart.

    Toure joined the Blue Wave from Ligue 1 club Monaco in August 2013. He has proved an inspired addition, excelling in the AGL and opening  the scoring when Nasr ended their 12-year trophy drought with a 2-1 victory against Oman's Saham in May's GCC Club Cup final.

    Without Toure on Friday night, Nasr slumped to a 2-1 defeat at Dubai rivals Al Shabab.

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