Abu Dhabi: Sharjah seem intent on causing a stir in this summer’s UAE transfer window after promising their fans they will conclude “the best deals” for a new manager and players in the Arabian Gulf League.

According to a club source, the five-time AGL champions are keen to make the Kuwait midfielder, Abdul Aziz Al Mashaan, their second high-profile summer signing.

This follows the King’s sensational swoop last week for the prolific Al Ittihad striker, Gelmin Rivas, who scored 19 goals in 25 games to finish as the second-best goalscorer in the Saudi Professional League in 2015-16.

It was a significant statement of intent by Sharjah, who finished only 11th in the Arabian Gulf League last season and who last claimed the UAE top-flight’s trophy in 1996.

The 27-year-old Al Mashaan has represented his country 17 times since 2010 and currently plays for Al Qadsia in his homeland.

And he is likely to play under a leading manager in the coming days, if the Sharjah source is to be believed.

Undeterred by the former Greece, and current Al Hilal, coach Giorgos Donis’s decision to rebuff Sharjah’s recent approach to replace Abdul Aziz Al Anbar as boss, Sharjah are determined to secure the services of a top international candidate.

The Sharjah source said: “The club are seeking to conclude the best deals for the club, with new players and a new manager arriving in the coming days to delight fans.”

Pepe Mel, who was sacked as coach of the Spanish La Liga outfit Real Betis in January, is believed to be the main man in the frame to take charge of the UAE’s fallen giants.

Meanwhile, Bani Yas’s incoming manager, Pablo Repetto, is likely to face the considerable task of replacing the Sky Blues’ Algerian striker Ishak Beldofil.

As Gulf News reported on Tuesday, Repetto will sign a two-year deal with the Abu Dhabi club on July 30 after presiding over his side Independiente del Valle’s second leg of the Copa Libertadores final with Atletico Nacional on Wednesday.

But Repetto will face the imminent headache of persuading the wantaway Belfodil to remain part of his plans for the forthcoming season.

The Algerian international – who netted 15 times for the Sky Blues last season – has given a candid interview to France’s L’Equipe sports newspaper, in which he said: “I’m 24 and do not want my name to be forgotten in the world of football. Since the first moment I decided to play in the Gulf, I was convinced I would not stay forever.

“I signed a contract for two seasons and the club gives me the freedom to terminate the contract. I want to go back to Europe and play for a club in a major league, and for that I am ready to make great sacrifices.”

Belfodil is one of four foreigners at Bani Yas, along with fellow forward Joaquin Larrivey, the Dutch winger Royston Drenthe and the Australia international and defensive midfielder Mark Milligan.