Al Ahli look set to return to the drawing board after Shakhtar Donetsk confirmed striker Luiz Adriano had rejected an €8 million (Dh32.8m) switch.

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The Red Knights have been pursuing a powerful centre forward to lead the line in coach Cosmin Olaroiu’s 4-2-3-1 formation since club legend Grafite was sold to Qatar’s Al Sadd in the winter transfer market.

They appeared to have settled on the Brazil international with chairman His Excellency Abdullah Saeed al Naboodah tweeting a fee had been agreed for the 28-year-old whose current contract expires in December.

But Shakhtar boss Mircea Lucescu has ended their hopes, revealing much-coveted Adriano – who has attracted interest from several 

European clubs – had spurned their offer. With fellow target Demba Ba undergoing a medical at Chinese outfit Shanghai Shenhua, it means the 2013/14 Arabian Gulf League champions’ options have narrowed.

“The lad did not accept the proposal from the United Arab Emirates, one that was very advantageous for us,” Lucescu told Calciomercato.com.

“The offer from Al Ahli was for €8m. It’s a pity, as we want to sell him now and cannot afford to lose him on a free transfer in January.

“If AC Milan want him, they ought to know we won’t just give him away.

“If he doesn’t accept a transfer, we cannot rule out dropping him for the next six months. 

“Our hope is to sell him now. I realise that other clubs want to take advantage of our financial situation, while I also understand the player is fed up of making such long journeys to play, but we have to look out for our interests. We are a big club and if Milan want Luiz Adriano, they have to pay for him.”

Ahli have also been linked with tentative interest in Hull City’s Croatia striker Nikica Jelavic, while Adriano’s rejection could yet see them return for Newcastle’s Papiss Cisse having been quoted €13m (Dh53.3m) for him earlier this year.