Bruce is more hopeful of signing Mido's Tottenham team-mate Hossam Ghaly after holding talks with the player on Thursday.
One of the stumbling blocks with the Mido deal is believed to be a buy-out clause in the contract which would permit the Egyptian international to quit St Andrews should another club offer a certain amount of money.
Bruce said: "It does look as if we are drifting away (with the Mido deal). I've really tried my best, the club have tried their best and we will attempt to persevere with it.
"But there is a lot of work to be done and we might have to look elsewhere, which would be a shame - but you never know."