Former Thai PM confirms Manchester City interest

LONDON, May 1 (Reuters) Former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra has made a takeover proposal to soccer club Manchester City, which is seeking fresh investment to better compete with rivals in the English premier league.

''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,'' he said in a statement today.

Accountants acting for the exiled billionaire telecoms baron will complete due diligence before advising their client whether to make a formal bid.

''It's fairly positive ... If Shinawatra (Thaksin) can come up with the finance and that will move the club forwards then the club are right to listen to that,'' Kevin Parker, general secretary of the club's official supporters club, told Reuters.

Former Manchester City player Roy Ranson has also been trying to buy the club, which plays at the Eastlands stadium in Manchester, and last week submitted a revised proposal regarding a proposed offer. Media reports put Ranson's bid in the region of 180 million dollar.

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

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

Thaksin, who has not returned to Thailand since a bloodless military putsch on Sept. 19 last year, failed in his efforts to buy Liverpool for 65 million pounds three years ago.

The former Thai prime minister, who coup leaders accuse of corruption and cronyism during his five years in office, lives in London but has also been travelling in Asia playing golf.

REUTERS KD PM1930