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
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
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
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.