On SSN TV - Abu Dhabi Group for Development and Assessment have bought City from the Thai fraudster - deal agreed late last night.

Good move for them, I've heard Abu Dhabi are a well respected, sustainable business. That added with the signings of Zabaleta, Reira, Wright Phillips and I think Abidal means they should be having a good season, as shown with there last two games being 2-0 wins.

So far the reports are that the deal has been discussed for 2-3 weeks, the group have the finances of Roman x 10 to the power and have a history of long term investment, a background in football in the middle east from the grass roots and infrastructure of the sport upwards and a knowledgeable CE/Chair as well as being a sustainable group.

Bodes well for City - would love them to jump up and take over from Utd in that part of the world!

PS: thought Reira was Scouse bound?

supposedly brought out right - no debts or anything.

If true they could be in an incredible position.

City have supposedly said talks are still ongoing - there are photos from the meeting though.

I know he's injured a lot, but if he's got enough time on his hands to set up groups and buy clubs I reckon we should let him go.

Sneaking around attending midnight meetings, what will Wenger think.

Nowt, because Wenger will be doing the same thing trying to get in that fabled "experienced midfielder"!

SSN TV - reports that City on for Berbatov - no quotes etc from Manchester Evening News.

Would be interesting for new owners to go in and nick a Utd wanted player to set up good rapport with fans.

I would love it, LOVE IT if that happened. Unfortunately there is no chance as Berbatov is off to Manu without doubt.

City takeover confirmed
Last updated: 1st September 2008
http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528, ... 2,00.html#

Manchester City are to be taken over by the Abu Dhabi United Group for Development and Investment (ADUG). The deal has been agreed between City's owner Thaksin Shinawatra and group representative Dr Sulaiman Al-Fahim, chief executive of Hydra Properties. Dr Khalid Kadfour Al-Muhairy, the head of the Emirates Group for advocate and legal consultants has also been involved in the negotiations. No financial details were revealed in the statement, which was released by Samir Al-Neel, media and public relations manager at Hydra Properties. "The investment services and development in Abu Dhabi, has successfully completed the huge takeover of the English club (Manchester City), one of the most prominent and oldest English clubs," the statement read. And a statement on City's official website read: "Manchester City can confirm that a Memorandum of Understanding has been signed between the Abu Dhabi United Group (ADUG) and Manchester City Football Club. "A period of due diligence for all parties, including the FA Premier League has now been entered. A further statement will be released by the club in due course."

The statement added that Shinawatra will retain a role as "honorary president of the club without any administrative responsibilities". The former Thai prime minister has been looking for new investment in the club, despite taking charge just over 12 months ago. The statement from Hydra added that the deal was signed at Abu Dhabi Emirates Palace Hotel, and the deal was considered a "massive achievement for the Emirate of Abu Dhabi". The statement also said that Al-Fahim had pledged to "solve all the club problems and clear any pending payments, and will comprehensively support the club by bringing the best football players in the world" to Eastlands. Success in the Premier League, but also "European and world level" would be the aim, with "the qualification of Manchester City to the European Champions League (for) next season 2009-10" also highlighted in the statement. Al-Fahim added: "We will adopt marketing plans that reflect positively on the club and the company."

For such a big deal, this seems to have come about very quickly. Although the present status - the signing of a 'Memorandum of Understanding' - suggests they've agreed in principle to the deal rather than having actually closed it completely.

Smacks of Mr Shinawatra rushing through a deal to get the Premier League off his back.

Good news for City though. The money might just now stay in place and stability will only help their cause. I can see them 'doing a Portsmouth' this season and troubling the top teams.

Especially now SWP has seen the error of his ways...

According to Sky , The Spurs have accepted City’s bid of £32,000,000 for Berbatov + £150K per week wages – Never saw that one coming !!

neither did i. The ideal outcome though. Very abitious targets from the new owners. On SSN they said they want to be top 4 after the 1st year, win the league in 2nd year and win CL in 3rd year. The guy they were talking to said money was no object so you never know what could happen. They're in a similar position to where Chelsea were before Abramovich so maybe we could have a new top 4 contender?

5 or 3 year plans very rarely fall into place easily. The fact that they are coming out with these statements would worry me as a supporter of their club.



Yep, they will attract the 'wrong' type of players. Berbatov is a classic example.



Nowhere near what Chelsea were like before Abromovitch. Chelsea's 'revolution' started with the managerial appointment of Gullit, and the players he attracted to the club. Players of the calibre of Vialli, Zola. Lebouef and Di Matteo. Chelsea had already won a few Cups and were challenging for the title with us in 1998, when he was involved in a high profile bust up over his contract and was sacked/walked out towards the end of the season.

Chelsea played Champions League Football in 1999 under Vialli with Desailly and Deschamps now in the team. FA Cup in 2002, losing to us in 2002 under Ranieri. Off and on appearances in the Champions League as well.

Then in 2004...

Point is Chelsea, the club and the players, had achieved and experienced what Liverpool, Arsenal and Man United had done for years. Man City haven't even remotely come close.