Al Nasr's pursuit of Portugal striker Hugo Almeida appears to have come to a dead end, with the Arabian Gulf League-outfit now increasingly minded to keep suspended star foreign player Ibrahima Toure.

Almeida, 30, arrived in Dubai on Friday to commence preliminary checkups and negotiations about potentially joining the Blue Wave on a one-year deal with an option to extend.

A clear divide between the two parties then emerged on Saturday about a number of physical and economic issues. No official medical has taken place for the 56-game capped Portugal front man, who was injured during his last competitive appearances in June's World Cup group-stage defeat to Germany. 

It is not clear whether the free agent, whose contract expired in July after a three-year spell at Turkish giants Besiktas, remains in the UAE ahead of the transfer window closing on Thursday, October 2. 

This development means Toure could yet stay at Al Maktoum Stadium. The Senegal international incurred a four-match ban and saw his wages docked by 30 per cent after being sent off for violently striking Bani Yas defender Mohamed Jaber in the top flight's opening round. 

"Hugo Almeida is a fantastic player, whom Al Nasr hold in the greatest respect," first team director Humaid Al Tayer said. "But, I think it will be very difficult now to sign him as we are very far apart.

"He is a free agent, who can enter negotiations with any club.

"Toure is still our player. Now Almeida probably will not happen, it is clear we do not want to just replace Toure with just any replacement.

"They will have to be a great player like him. If we do not find one, we will stick with Toure.

"As ever, we will always do whatever is the best option for Al Nasr."

Preliminary interest has been registered in Toure by clubs from Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Europe, with agent Guy-Michel Boli claiming his client has a "50 per cent" chance of staying with his current employers. 

The 28 year old has two years remaining on the deal he signed when joining from Ligue 1's Monaco in August 2013. He enjoyed a successful debut campaign, scoring 16 times in the AGL and forcing the opener as Nasr ended their 12-year trophy drought with GCC Club Cup victory.

Nasr's foreign quota is currently filled by Toure, Ivan Trickovski, Brett Holman and Renan Garcia.