Thaksin confirms approach to City

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MANCHESTER, England -- Former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra confirmed on Tuesday that he has approached Manchester City about a possible takeover bid for the English Premier League club.

Thaksin made an "indicative proposal" to buy Man City, his company said in a statement to the London Stock Exchange.

"Thaksin Shinawatra notes certain recent press articles regarding the possibility of an offer being made for Manchester City," the statement said.

"Thaksin confirms that he and his advisers have made an indicative proposal that may or may not lead to an offer being made for the Company."

Former City player Ray Ranson has also been trying to buy the Eastlands club and last week submitted a revised proposal regarding a proposed offer. Media reports put Ranson's bid in the region of £90 million.

Ranson, who is backed by a British-based financial partner, last Tuesday lodged a new proposal to address concerns about conditionality and said in a statement that he hoped to enter formal discussions with the board.

However, it is understood that Thaksin's interest is favored by City after the club was contacted by the Thais with regard to opening up the books.

The club has been actively seeking investors recently, with chairman John Wardle keen to attract significant funds for a team that has long lived in the shadow of neighbors Manchester United.

Thaksin, who has not returned to Thailand since a bloodless military coup on September 19, failed in his efforts to buy Liverpool for £65 million three years ago.

Playing golf

Thaksin, accused by coup leaders of corruption and cronyism during his five years in office, lives in London but has also been traveling in Asia playing golf and has been elected president of his country's professional golf association.

He won a unanimous vote to take over the TPGA presidency from former cabinet minister Pongsak Raktapongpisal.

Pongsak said Thaksinhad no plans to return to politics and his exile would not prevent him from doing the job properly.

"Although he is not in Thailand, work will proceed effectively," the Nation newspaper quoted Pongsak as saying. Thaksin has been told he can return home to fight legal cases if summonsed by courts.

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