Thaksin Seals Deal - 24/06/2007

Former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra is expected next week to gain the 75 per cent shareholding he needs to win control of Manchester City. The offer values Manchester City at £21.6m plus £60m of debt. Taking account of the total cost, this makes it a little cheaper than West Ham United, but somewhat more expensive than Aston Villa. Mr Thaksin is not expected to fail the Premiership's 'fit and proper' person test, despite the charges that have been laid against him in Thailand. If he is convicted, matters would become more complicated. The League would probably seek advice from the UK Government as to how credible any conviction would be, given that the military junta governing Thailand has not been democratically elected. The new owner intends to undertake an aggressive marketing drive in Asia over the next two to three years so that City will come to rival Manchester United and Liverpool commercially in the region. Regional football academies will be part of the plan to 'bring the club into the heart and mind of fans, especially in Asia.' Whether this plan works will depend in part on success on the pitch.