Al Ahli chairman Abdullah Saeed Al Naboodah insists the club remain in the hunt for Shakhtar Donestsk forward Luiz Adriano, despite claims by the Ukrainian club’s manager that the Brazilian has turned the Red Knights down.

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Al Naboodah tweeted last Wednesday that a fee had been agreed for the 28-year-old, who scored nine Champions League goals last season.

However, Mircea Lucescu revealed on Sunday that Adriano had rejected proposals from the Dubai club amid interest from Italian giants AC Milan.

Al Naboodah told Dubai Sports: “The agreement with Shakhtar club is true and there was an agreement with the player before three weeks, but things changed almost a week ago. But we hope that things will again change in favour of Al Ahli.

“At the end of the day these agreements are governed by figures, and to reach the amount that will be acceptable for both parties. So the delay is mainly about money and in the coming days we hope it will become clearer.”

Al Naboodah has also reinforced his confidence in Romanian coach Cosmin Olaroiu despite Al Ahli’s disappointing campaign last term.

In defence of the Arabian Gulf League crown they won in 2014, the Red Knights finished seventh and emerged trophyless in the cup competitions.

Al Naboodah added: “Sure, we are fully confident of his work and his thinking, and that’s why we offered to renew his contract and continue with the team.

“Many people ask me about how I deal with Cosmin… I say Cosmin has a lovely character and very good and successful coach.

“And believe me, every successful coach sometimes takes surprising actions, but Cosmin’s discipline is excellent and his dealings with players is excellent too.”