With a month to go until the new Arabian Gulf League season, the division has rarely looked in ruder health.
A raft of outstanding signings and measured strategic decisions from the 14 clubs guarantees a ticket for the opening round of matches on September 15 and 16 will be money well spent.
From serial Serie A title winner Mirko Vucinic’s arrival at Al Jazira to Asamoah Gyan committing the best years of his career to Al Ain on the back of a strong showing for Ghana at the World Cup, the action will be intense and enthralling.
The red-hot competition at the top of the table created by the impressive work in the summer transfer window, ensures there is little chance of runaway champions Al Ahli repeating their lengthy victory procession this time.
Jazira have drafted in high-quality throughout, hiring Belgian Eric Gerets as coach following a trophy-laden spell with Qatari side Lekhwiya.
Vucinic will provide an omnipresent goal threat, supplemented by former Rennes flyer Jonathan Pitroipa and ebullient Argentine talent Manuel Lanzini who looks capable of filling the sizeable void left by the sale of Abdelaziz Barrada.
Zlatko Dalic’s management of the Boss, meanwhile, ensures the AFC Champions League quarter-finalists will be right up there.
Gyan and outstanding domestic talent Omar Abdulrahman remain, versatile attacker Jires Kembo Ekoko has been unstoppable in pre-season, Mohammed Fawzi comes after impressing with Bani Yas and South Korea’s Lee Myung-Joo and Slovakia’s Miroslav Stoch are enviable young signings.
Despite those buys, Ahli are refusing to blink. Cosmin Olaroiu’s adroit management has seen the desire to rip up a title-winning team resisted, with the only major addition seeing him reunited with wily battler Mirel Radoi.
The challenge to the Red Knights extends beyond the traditional heavyweights. Bani Yas are now the most intriguing top-flight side thanks to the intelligent work of new Spanish coach Luis Garcia and sports director Jesus Garcia Pitarch.
A solid spine featuring defender Angel Dealbert, midfielders Joan Verdu and Kim Jung-Woo plus Chile front man Carlos Munoz is in place, with the scope to add more exciting emirati players.
Coach Jose Peseiro is also primed for his first full campaign at Al Wahda after working wonders by transforming mid-table strugglers into runners-up upon his arrival last November.
The gauntlet has been laid down to Ahli at the head of the standings, but the intrigue does not end there.
New boys Fujairah have stolen the headlines, with a drawn-out saga to recruit Jorge Valdivia ending in disappointment while still adding Algeria captain Madjid Bougherra and providing Boubacar Sanogo with another shot at AGL success.
Ajman have drafted in Algeria schemer Karim Ziani, Al Wasl now boast Brazil legend Jorginho as coach, Al Nasr’s ambitions will be determined by whether they can hold on to UAE star Habib Fardan, while skilful 24-year-old Al Dhafra capture Matias Defederico boasts two caps for Argentina.
Several weeks remain in the transfer window for the clubs to add to this intriguing mix. All signs point to a must-watch AGL campaign to come.
