The winter transfer window for local and foreign players in the UAE league for the 2025-2026 season has so far lacked momentum or major deals, despite 12 days having passed since its start on January 13. The current player registration period continues until February 9. In contrast, the previous summer transfer window, which ran from July 10 to October 1 last year, saw significant activity and a fierce race among clubs to strengthen their squads before the season began. Despite the need for several clubs to bolster their rosters with new elements, the current winter transfer window has started quietly, with most clubs in the ADNOC Pro League not making notable moves so far. At the same time, former international player and technical analyst Mondher Ali emphasized the difficulty for any club to part with a distinguished and capable player during the mid-season period. The current transfer window has seen a limited number of clubs make changes to their squads. Al Ain club signed Romanian player Adrian Șut on a contract extending until 2028. Al Nasr announced the signing of Serbian David Petrović on a contract until 2029, coming from Al Sharjah, in addition to signing Norwegian defender Marius Høibråten for a season and a half from Japanese Urawa Red Diamonds. Al Nasr also signed Turkish player Serdar Saççı on loan from Trabzonspor and extended contracts with its players Filip Muta until 2028 and Abdullah Touré until 2030. Meanwhile, Al Jazira club signed Moroccan defender Nabil Abdelrahim from Russian Sochi for six months, to be registered as a local player. Al Wasl signed Colombian striker Miguel Borja from Argentine River Plate, while Al Sharjah added Brazilian defender Luan to its ranks. The remaining period of the winter transfer market is expected to witness a hot race among clubs to strengthen their squads with new players before the registration deadline closes. Former international player and technical analyst Mondher Ali told "Al-Ittihad" that all clubs aim during the winter transfer window to change players who did not meet the expectations in the past stage, adding that each club sets specific goals regarding renewing its team's elements. He added that winter transfers usually do not witness the same momentum that accompanies summer transfers, due to the stability of most teams, in addition to the binding contracts of most players, which makes it difficult for any capable player to leave his club mid-season. Regarding the financial reasons that might prevent concluding major deals, Mondher Ali confirmed that financial aspects remain a constant factor when contracting distinguished players, pointing out that attracting big names depends primarily on the ability of club management to convince players, their agents, or their clubs to move to the UAE league. Regarding Al Wasl club, Mondher Ali expressed his hope that the club will succeed in attracting the elements it needs to strengthen its squad during the second half of the league. Clubs aim during the winter transfer window to change players who did not live up to expectations.
