They may not be splashing out £60 million (Dh350 million) to sign Wayne Rooney just yet.
But Abu Dhabi's Al Jazira Football Club plans to boost its revenue to Dh250 million a year through sponsorship deals, new retail outlets and a number of other revenue streams.
The team, which is currently top of the UAE Football League (UFL), recently signed a sponsorship deal with Barclays. Similar money-making deals are in the pipeline, says Phil Anderton, the chief executive of Al Jazira.
"Over time, we'd like to generate at least Dh250 million over all the revenue streams available to us," said Mr Anderton.
The annual target will be achievable through a number of initiatives to diversify revenue, set out under a three-year plan formed by the club a couple of months ago.
"I think we'd be able to do that within three years if all the different elements of the plan we put together are successful," said Mr Anderton.
bflanagan@thenational.ae