Back in business: What AGL clubs might do in the market

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  • As the Arabian Gulf League prepares itself for another season, here's a look at what the teams might do in the market:

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    AL AHLI 

    Last season: 7th
    Coach: Cosmin Olaroiu
    Expats signed up for 15/16: Everton Ribeiro, Kwon Kyung-won, Ciel
    Likely business: A glaring hole has existed up front since the winter. The Red Knights targeted Shakhtar Donetsk’s Luiz Adriano, but hope is receding. Winger Oussama Assaidi is set to be binned, fit-again Ciel could be a replacement under their noses.

    AL AIN 
    Last season: Champions
    Coach: Zlatko Dalic
    Expats signed up for 15/16: Asamoah Gyan, Ryan Babel, Lee Myung-joo

    Likely business: The Boss are looking to add further quality to a squad which is the envy of the rest of the league. Another foreign signing is likely to follow Ryan Babel with Vasco Da Gama midfielder Felipe Bastos linked. They also covet Bani Yas midfielder Amer Abdulrahman.

    BANI YAS 
    Last season: 8th
    Coach: Luis Garcia
    Expats signed up for 15/16: Mark Milligan, Joan Verdu 
    Likely business: This is makeor- break time for Garcia’s Spanish project. Australia midfielder Mark Milligan is an excellent purchase. The Dutch market is being studied, NAC Breda winger Adnane Tighadouini and giant ADO Den Haag striker Michiel Kramer are possible options.

    AL DHAFRA 
    Last season: 11th
    Coach: Laurent Banide
    Expats signed up for 15/16: Ahmad Ibrahim, Jorge Luna, Makhete Diop 
    Likely business: The Western Knights have been hugely impressive this window. They have recruited well both domestically and abroad, also signing up coveted striker Makhete Diop to a new deal. A foreign slot remains open, ex-Emirates Club forward Luiz Henrique an option.

    DIBBA AL FUJAIRAH 
    Last season: Champions (UAE Division 1 Group A)
    Coach: Sergio Alexandre
    Expats signed up for 15/16: Bilal Najjarin 
    Likely business: Dibba are in the same boat as fellow new boys Al Shaab, desperate to retain their topflight status. Experienced centre-back Najjarin is an example of what is required. Rather fancifully, they have also been linked with Watford’s Nigeria striker Odion Ighalo.

    EMIRATES CLUB 
    Last season: 10th
    Coach: Paulo Comelli
    Expats signed up for 15/16: Brett Holman 
    Holman rejected lucrative offers from China to continue his AGL adventure at Emirates Club.

    Likely business: The Falcons surprised everyone when they lured skipper Brett Holman from Al Nasr. They are keen to continue in this fashion, prioritising AGL experience. Unwanted Shabab striker Edgar could be an option, while they might go back in for Al Ahli legend Grafite.

    FUJAIRAH 
    Last season:
    9th
    Coach: Ivan Hasek
    Expats signed up for 15/16: Madjid Bougherra, Karim Ziani, Hassan Maatouk
    Likely business: Fujairah will be excited about a first full season under Hasek, who consolidated their top-flight status upon his winter arrival. Guingamp’s French striker Christophe Mandanne has been linked, while Algeria midfielder Ziani could yet be retained.

    AL JAZIRA 
    Last season: 2nd
    Coach: Abel Braga
    Expats signed up for 15/16: Thiago Neves, Mirko Vucinic

    Likely business: An Asian defensive player and a foreign attacker, with the right signings making them the team to beat. Santos’ Lucas Lima could come in out wide, a South Korean most likely at defensive midfield. Fares Juma will prove a solid addition from Al Ain at centre-back.

    AL NASR 
    Last season: 5th
    Coach: Ivan Jovanovic
    Expats signed up for 15/16: None
    Likely business: A new set of foreign players is required as they look to convert cup success into a title charge. A South American feel has taken over, Ahli’s Luis Jimenez, Roma’s Marquinho and Paraguay’s Edgar Benitez linked. Striker Salem Saleh will add depth following his move from Al Wahda.

    AL SHAAB 
    Last season: 2nd (UAE Division 1 Group A)
    Coach: Tarek El Ashry
    Expats signed up for 15/16: Michael N’dri
    Likely business: Shaab desperately need top-flight knowhow to avoid another short stay. Experienced midfielder Simon Feindouno has surprisingly been released. Expect at least one Egyptian to come through the door, Zamalek midfielder Ayman Hefny a potential target.

    AL SHABAB 
    Last season: 3rd
    Coach: Caio Junior
    Expats signed up for 15/16: Jo, Azizbek Haydarov, Carlos Villanueva, Henrique Luvannor
    Likely business: As ever, status quo reigns at the well-run Hawks. Brazil striker Jo could upset this, replacing Edgar Bruno. Key for them will be fending off advances for star domestic players such as defensive midfielder Hassan Ibrahim and full-back Manei Mohamed.

    SHARJAH 
    Last season: 12th
    Coach: Paulo Bonamigo
    Expats signed up for 15/16: Wanderley, Mauricio Ramos
    Likely business: Last term was poor from the King. As ever, they will look to the Brazilian market to illict a marked improvement – Atletico Mineiro’s Maxwell Regnaldo and Recife’s Francisco Rithely linked. Ajman attacking midfielder Waleed Ahmed has already been bought.

    AL WAHDA 
    Last season: 4th
    Coach: Javier Aguirre
    Expats signed up for 15/16: Seb Tagliabue, Hussain Fadhel, Denilson, Jorge Valdivia
    Magician: Jorge Valdivia.

    Likely business: The Clarets have moved decisively to end the upset at last season’s secondhalf collapse. A nervous wait is under way about temperamental Chile playmaker Jorge Valdivia, who will cause panic until he is physically in Abu Dhabi to sign an already-agreed deal.

    AL WASL 
    Last season: 6th
    Coach: Gabriel Calderon
    Expats signed up for 15/16: Hugo Viana, Fabio De Lima
    Likely business: The Cheetahs are hopeful of continuity in the ranks. They are currently negotiating to turn Brazilian forwards Caio Canedo and Ederson Alves’ expired loan deals into permanent switches. Domestic defenders Hassan Ameen and Hazza Salem are solid signings.

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