Karim, who is far from settled with the Emirate outfit, entered talks with Ahli this week and a deal was agreed for a summer switch to Cairo.

But the move was held back after Sharjah asked for more money, which forced Ahli to have another sort of agreement with the former Ismaili striker.

"Sharjah raised their asking price after Ahli Dubai made another bid," Karim's agent Mohamed Shiha said.

"Karim prefers Ahli (Cairo) and his contract expires in January, so he will likely move on a free transfer next year."

Karim, 22, had a loan spell at Qatari side Siliya last term before recently returning to the UAE.

Two years ago, he was only second in the Egyptian Premier League's top-scorers list with 11 goals for Ismaili.

Over two seasons in Ismailia, the Iraq international netted 26 goals for the Dervishes.