Brazilian Nilmar will make a move from Internacional if Al Nasr succeed in their bid. Alfredo Estrella / AFP
Brazilian Nilmar will make a move from Internacional if Al Nasr succeed in their bid. Alfredo Estrella / AFP
Brazilian Nilmar will make a move from Internacional if Al Nasr succeed in their bid. Alfredo Estrella / AFP
Brazilian Nilmar will make a move from Internacional if Al Nasr succeed in their bid. Alfredo Estrella / AFP

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Al Nasr in talks to sign former Villarreal striker Nilmar

Now at Internacional, Nilmar, 31, has previous experience of Gulf football after having spent two years in Qatar from 2012.

John McAuley
John McAuley

July 25, 2015

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  • Arabic

DUBAI // Al Nasr are in negotiations to sign Nilmar, the former Villarreal and Brazil international striker.

The Dubai club have had a bid accepted by the forward’s club Internacional and have opened discussions with the player regarding a permanent move.

Nilmar, 31, has previous experience of Gulf football after having spent two years in Qatar from 2012, first at Al Rayyan and then briefly at El Jaish. Should he agree to the package offered by Nasr, he would replace Ibrahima Toure, who no longer has a future at the club following his failure to return to pre-season training.

“The negotiations are ongoing, but we hope to come to a successful conclusion very soon,” a Nasr official said. “Nilmar is a top-quality player, a complete forward who would add a lot to the team. We have to wait to see if he agrees to come, but we would like to have the issue resolved as soon as possible because the season is very near.”

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Nasr enjoyed a superb 2014/15 campaign, winning both the Arabian Gulf Cup and the President’s Cup. They finished fifth in the Arabian Gulf League but have set sights on challenging for the title next season.

The club have already recruited Luis Jimenez, the former Al Ahli attacking midfielder, and are still attempting to sign Jonathan Pitroipa, the Burkina Faso winger who is surplus to requirements at Al Jazira. Midfielder Renan Garcia is now expected to remain at Al Maktoum Stadium.

Nasr are considering other options for the striker position, although Nilmar represents their leading target. The Brazilian began his professional career at Internacional in 2002, before transferring to Lyon in France. He returned to Brazil before spending three years from 2012 in the Primera Liga with Villarreal.

He has made 23 appearances for the Brazil national team, scoring eight goals.

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