Tornike Shengelia is set to become the new player for Dubai Basketball Club next week. According to reports, the Dubai club has won the bidding war for the Georgian power forward and will pay the €900,000 release clause from Barcelona.
Shengelia's future had been uncertain for days. The player had several important offers on the table, including from Fenerbahce, Partizan, and Olympiacos, but ultimately decided to go with Dubai's project.
The decision has a very clear sporting component. Shengelia is approaching 35 years old and wants to make the most of his remaining seasons with the goal of competing for the EuroLeague, the major title he has yet to win in his career.
In Dubai, he will find an ambitious project and an important role. Additionally, he will reunite with Xavi Pascual, who was already his coach at Barcelona during the final months and now leads the club's new project in Europe's top competition.
For Barcelona, his departure is a significant blow. Shengelia was one of the most important players on the roster, for his quality, experience, competitive character, and status as an ACB roster spot. The Blaugrana had offered him a renewal through 2029, but the Georgian ultimately chose a new challenge.
Dubai, meanwhile, adds a piece of enormous hierarchy for its European debut: a proven power forward, a winner, with basketball intelligence, physicality, and the ability to make a difference in big games.