Winter transfers without heavy deals 12 days after their start

The winter transfer period for local and foreign players in the UAE League for the 2025-2026 season has, so far, been devoid of any momentum or heavy-caliber deals, despite 12 days having passed since its start on January 13th, noting that the current registration period continues until the ninth of next February.

The last summer transfer period, which began on July 10 of last year and ended on October 1, witnessed remarkable activity and a frantic race between clubs to strengthen their ranks before the start of the season.

Despite the need of a number of clubs to support their ranks with new elements, the current winter transfer period began quietly, and has not yet witnessed significant movements from most of the ADNOC Professional League clubs, at a time when former international player and technical analyst Munther Ali stressed the difficulty of any club giving up a distinguished and competent player during the mid-season period.

The current transfer period witnessed a limited number of clubs making changes to their rosters, as Al Ain Club signed Romanian player Adrian Schut on a contract extending until 2028, while Al Nasr Club announced its contract with Serbian David Petrovic on a contract until 2029 coming from Sharjah Club, in addition to contracting with Norwegian defender Marius Huiberaten for a season and a half coming from Urawa Red Diamonds of Japan.

Al-Nasr also signed Turkish player Serdar Saçi on loan from Trabzonspor, and renewed the contracts of its players Philippe Motta until 2028, and Abdullah Toure until 2030.

For its part, Al Jazira Club attracted Moroccan defender Nabil Aberdeen, coming from the Russian club Sochi, for a period of six months, to be registered as a resident, while Al Wasl Club signed Colombian striker Miguel Borja, coming from the Argentine club River Plate, while Sharjah Club included Brazilian defender Leonardinho.

It is expected that the remaining period of the winter transfer market will witness a heated race between clubs to strengthen their ranks with new elements before the registration window closes.

Former international player and technical analyst Munther Ali said that all clubs seek during the winter transfer period to change players who were not as ambitious during the last stage, noting that each club sets specific goals with regard to renewing the team’s elements.

He added to “Emirates Today” that winter transfers do not usually witness the same momentum that accompanies summer transfers, due to the stability of most teams, in addition to the fact that most players are bound by valid contracts, which makes it difficult for any competent player to leave his team in the middle of the season.

Regarding the financial reasons that may prevent the conclusion of major deals, Munther Ali stressed that financial aspects remain a factor always present when contracting with distinguished players, pointing out that attracting big names depends primarily on the ability of club managements to persuade players, their agents, or their clubs to move to the UAE League.

Regarding Al-Wasl Club, Munther Ali expressed his hope that the club will succeed in attracting the elements it needs to support its ranks during the second round of the league.

. During the winter transfers, clubs seek to replace players who were not up to ambition.