Is former Barcelona and Milan star Dubai-bound?

Argentinean striker Maxi Lopez could be the latest household name to join a Dubai-based football team.

The former Barcelona and AC MIlan forward is said to be on the verge of clinching a deal with Al Nasr and the head of the club's technical committee Ahmad Al Khoury told Gulf News that the 29-year-old has already signed a preliminary agreement.

It is thought the ex-Catania man will put pen to paper on an official contract once he has completed a medical in the next few days.

Landing Lopez - who has represented Argentina at various youth levels and scored more than 25 goals in Italy's Serie A - would be a real coup for Al Nasr.

He has played in Argentina, Spain, Italy, Russia and Brazil throughout his career and was tentatively linked with a move to Norwich City earlier this summer.

However, he now appears to be destined for the Middle East, where he will join former Aston Villa midfielder Brett Holman, who signed for Al Nasr at the start of the transfer window.

It seems Lopez will not be the only headline-grabbing name to roll into the Dubai club this week.

Mr Al Khoury was quoted by the same news provider as saying: 'He will arrive very soon and we will also announce another signing in the coming days.'

Although it is still very much a work in progress, the UAE Pro League has certainly grown in stature in the past few years, with a number of recognisable players deciding to ply their trade in the Gulf.

They include ex-Sunderland forward Asamoah Gyan - who has been the league's top scorer for the past two seasons - former Wolfsburg striker Grafite and Ricardo Quaresma, once of Barcelona, Inter Milan, Chelsea and Porto.

It was widely reported last month that Al Nasr were in the market for West Bromwich Albion's Peter Odemwingie, but the Premier League club rejected an initial bid. It remains to be seen whether Lopez has been signed instead of the Nigerian or if Odemwingie will be the second big name to move to the club this summer.