The eye-catching additions of Moussa Sow and Lima mean Arabian Gulf League-title chasers Al Ahli possess the most fearsome foreign contingent in their history, according to CEO Ahmed Khalifa.

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The Red Knights have reacted with a show of strength in the transfer market after last term’s pathetic defence of their top-flight crown ended in a distant seventh-placed finish.

Senegal forward Sow, 29, has been brought in for a UAE-record fee of €17 million (Dh70m) after he excelled at Turkish giants Fenerbahce.

Brazilian striker Lima has already looked a bargain since his €7m (Dh28.4m) move from Benfica, scoring five goals in his opening four matches.

With Brazil playmaker Everton Ribeiro and South Korean defensive midfielder Kwon Kyung-won already in situ, Khalifa believed boss Cosmin Olaroiu has under his command the strongest squad ever assembled at Rashid Stadium.

“Never in the history of Al Ahli have we had this level of player, all at the same time,” he said. “We always had just one or two. “But now we have Ribeiro, a Brazil national team player, Moussa Sow, a Senegal national team pla-yer, while Lima is a very big player also. He’s played in big teams and transferred from Benfica, where he was top scorer and won the Portuguese league.

“We will not stop at that, whether that is the local market or the international market. This is part of our strategy to maintain the team, to develop the team and recruit players who can add value, players who can push the team to more trophies.” 

The 2015 AFC Champions League quarter-finalists have a firm record of attracting outstanding talent.

Italy’s 2006 World Cup-winning captain Fabio Cannavaro and 2008/09 Bundesliga top scorer Grafite have played for them in recent years, while legendary Iran playmaker Ali Karimi made his name there before his switch to Bayern Munich a decade ago.

Their shake-up has seen Morocco winger Oussama Assaidi and Brazilian forward Ciel cast aside. Interest has been registered in the pair by various AGL sides, ahead of September 21’s transfer deadline.

Ahli’s actions have been noted across Dubai, with Al Nasr boss Ivan Jovanovic insisting their activity headlines a summer of impressive dealing in the UAE.

He said: “I believe all the teams have reinforced with good players. Maybe Al Ahli more than all the other teams.

“I know with Al Ahli they are a very serious team, always playing for the league title or AFC Champions League. But also the teams in the lower group dynamic have reinforced themselves very well.

“That why I believe it is a very, very interesting league.” Nasr will be out to prove their mettle on Saturday at Al Dhafra when the AGL resumes.