Al Ahli boast a player who can “make the difference” up front after splashing the cash on transfer deadline day to land Bani Yas striker Carlos Munoz, according to coach Cosmin Olaroiu.
The Arabian Gulf League champions were the big spenders on Thursday night, reacting to the long-term injury to key forward Ciel by bringing in the Chile international from Bani Yas for Dh40 million plus 2012 UAE Olympic squad member Saeed Suroor.
The Red Knights freed up space in their four-player foreign quota by allowing Portugal midfielder Hugo Viana to join Al Wasl on a one-year permanent deal and sending Iraq prodigy Humam Tariq to Al Dhafra on a one-year loan.
Ahli laboured to a goalless draw against Ajman on Monday. They now possess fearsome depth in attack, an attribute Olaroiu was pleased to utilise.
The Romanian said: “Munoz joined with the squad today [Friday]. We tried to bring a player who can score goals and increase our power in attack.
“He is the player I think can make the difference in front. Now, we have three players in Munoz, Grafite and Ahmed Khalil.
“I suppose that will make us stronger.”
Munoz was a rare bright spot as Bani Yas laboured to ninth place in his only full season at the club in 2013-14, scoring 14 AGL goals. He had not been anywhere as prolific during their opening four games this term, however, netting only a consolation in last Tuesday’s dispiriting 3-2 defeat at Emirates Club.
The former Colo-Colo star’s ex-employers were the busiest team on Thursday, also finally securing the tall striker demanded by under-pressure coach Luis Garcia in Al Wasl’s Mohammed Nasser.
The 26-year-old scored seven goals in 17 top-flight appearances last term, but has yet to appear in 2014-15. Bani Yas failed to lure Ahmed Kahalil on a loan deal, the UAE striker’s opportunities for first-team starts limited further by Munoz’s arrival at the other end.
Elsewhere, Wasl released Brazilian Neto Berola to free up room for Viana and agreed to buy the UAE’s Asian Games captain Saeed Al Kathiri as a permanent replacement for Naser. Viana had become marginalised with the Red Knights following the summer arrival of Olaroiu acolyte Mirel Radoi, while Wahda and Wasl had been in dispute since January about Al Kathiri.
Elsewhere, Sharjah continued their Brazilian recruitment policy by agreeing a loan deal for Rodriguinho as replacement for the seriously injured Luan. The 26-year-old joins from Sao Paulo giants Corinthians, recently scoring twice in 11 league appearances while on another temporary deal at Grremio.
Bottom-placed Ittihad Kalba looked to bolster their squad with the acquisitions of ex-Al Ain and Al Wasl goalkeeper Saif Al Badi and 23-year-old midfielder Hamad Al Marri, who was most recently with Al Dhafra.