ARABS BID TO OUST THAKSIN

A MYSTERY Arab group is standing by to prise control of Manchester City from controversial owner Thaksin Shinawatra.

The mega-rich Emirates-based company want to buy out the former Thai Prime Minister whose future at the Emirates is shrouded in uncertainty.

Although Shinawatra is looking for financial backers to come to his rescue and has been scouring the Far East, few investors are interested without assuming complete control.

Members of the Emirates group are keen to make him a buy-out offer and have made their initial interest known.

They want to take over the running of City, promising significant transfer funds for manager Mark Hughes.

Shinawatra is adamant he wants to stay in control — though he has admitted he might have to relinquish power if the Premier League decides he is no longer a “fit and proper person”.

City’s owner is currently in exile in England after fleeing his homeland to escape charges of corruption.

A vast part of Shinawatra’s assets have been frozen by the Thai authorities and if the League does remove him, it would leave City in limbo.

HUGHES - meeting

But Hughes insists he can carry on spending.

The Blues boss splashed out £6m on the capture of Belgium international midfielder Vincent Kompany from Hamburg on Friday.

And he is planning a fresh move for a striker after failing with a £12m bid for Roque Santa Cruz from his previous club Blackburn.

Hughes met up with Blues troubled owner Shinawatra for the first time this week.

And although he was told there was little chance of using any of the Thai’s frozen £800m, he was told he could bring in new faces.

Hughes said: “I met him at his home. He gave me a warm welcome and I was enthused by his enthusiasm for the season ahead.

“He’ll back my judgement. If he thinks I need a player, he’ll back me.

“There’s a lot of stuff flying around that doesn’t involve football but I’ve been given funds for good quality players.”

Tackles

Hughes is ready to throw Kompany straight into his line-up against West Ham today to add some fight to his side.

He admits Martin Petrov and Elano need help to stop them being bullied out of games.

And Kompany is keen to get into his new role.

He said: “I’m known as someone who wins a lot of tackles and has good ball recovering.

“I’m able to play nice football, but you need to be strong, you need to tackle.”