The Arabian Gulf League’s summer transfer window has only officially been open for 12 days, but the stage has already been set for a vintage 2015/16 season.
Creditable business has occurred throughout a division which grows ever more alluring to elite footballers, much of the recruitment for each club’s four foreign slots finalised. Talent is now found throughout, from title-chasing Al Jazira’s eye-catching recruitment of Peru and Schalke 04 ace Jefferson Farfan to eighth-placed Bani Yas buying key Australia defensive midfielder Mark Milligan.
Dethroned champions Al Ahli bided their time until this weekend’s AFC Champions League registration deadline forced them to hone their lengthy centre forward pursuit on Benfica’s deadly Lima.
Al Wahda have been inspired, former Atletico Madrid coach Javier Aguirre, Chile’s inspirational Copa America-winning playmaker Jorge Valdivia and former Arsenal midfielder Denilson heading to Al Nahyan Stadium.
Competitiveness has been boosted by the AGL’s only transfer disappointments, in champions Al Ain. Zlatko Dalic’s men strode to a nine-point triumph over the Pride of Abu Dhabi. But a repeat of such dominance seems improbable after they felt the increasing financial mite of the Chinese Super League, star striker Asamoah Gyan being sold to Shanghai SIPG €20 million (Dh81m).
Direct replacement Emmanuel Emenike cut a truculent figure for Turkey’s Fenerbahce last term, the Nigeria international even being played out wide rather than in his favoured spot as a centre forward. Netherlands winger Ryan Babel also has become well travelled since he left Liverpool in 2011, while centre midfielder Fellipe Bastos is unheralded for a reason.
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President’s Cup and Arabian Gulf Cup holders Al Nasr’s aims to secure league success will take shape this week, leaving it late to close in on deals for Brazil striker Nilmar and Al Jazira winger Jonathan Pitroipa.
Similarly, third-placed Al Shabab’s season will hinge on whether new striker Jo can replicate the form which won him a place in Brazil’s 2014 World Cup squad, rather than the ill-disciplined figure which recently went more than a year without a goal.
Al Wasl have been far more sensible ahead of coach Gabriel Calderon’s first full campaign, bringing in Edgar Bruno – the man Jo replaced – and inking fresh deals with Caio Canedo and Hugo Viana as they aim to move up from sixth.
At the other end, Al Dhafra must hope a contract wrangle with striker Makhete Diop does not detract from a solid summer.
Emirates Club will be looking to add to Brett Holman’s surprise capture, Fujairah will expect plenty from forwards Christophe Mandanne and Patrick Friday Eze and Sharjah need playmaker Maicosuel to spark.
New boys Al Shaab have gone South American with Chilean striker Matias Donoso, UAE Division 1 Group A winners Dibba Al Fujairah banking on local experience through centre-back Bilal Najjarine and centre forward Boris Kabi.
Local deals will come to the fore, although reappraisals of non-Emirati business mean further shake ups could occur until the October 15 deadline.
The latter is not a likely scenario for Jazira. Legendary returning coach Abel Braga, Brazil playmaker Thiago Neves, Farfan and South Korea defensive midfielder Park Jong-woo have made them the summer kings.
With Al Ain’s decline, expect this to be repeated when the top-flight action gets under way on August 19.
