After appointing Hughes, Thaksin turns focus on Barca's outcast

Manchester City owner Thaksin Shinawatra is determined to bring Barcelona star Ronaldinho to Eastlands.

Thaksin is ready to hand Mark Hughes a £50 million transfer fund and wants City's new manager to deliver Ronaldinho.

The Brazilian would cost Thaksin around £15 million as well as wages of £150,000 a week, but the former premier will not let that stop him chasing one of the sport's biggest names.

"Ronaldinho - you know, he is a great player. Whatever the club in your heart, you would want to see this player in England, wouldn't you?" Thaksin told the Daily Mail newspaper.

"It is not a risk. Sponsors will contribute. It'll not damage our wage structure. Garry and Pairoj, my chief adviser, they are taking care of this transfer. I am very excited.

"I am 59 next birthday, so I am not a man who can wait for many years to see my dreams come true."

Although Ronaldiho's form has slumped in the last year, prompting suggestions that the former World Player of the Year has lost his desire, Thaksin is convinced a move to the Premier League would give him a new lease of life.

"Ronaldinho is 28. He has much still to offer, he is a star. You need a combination of new players, existing players, quality, young and old," he said.

"I admit also you need a player who is more than just winning the match. You need a star who can play on the pitch, but who can achieve much more for the club. Ronaldinho is that player.

"I am hearing good things about his hunger. Ronaldinho wants the new challenge, the chance to play his best game again, to return to the days when he was really, really famous. The magic is still in his boots. Let's hope we can bring him," the Man City boss said.