World Kick Off

The club are still in the process of finding a replacement for manager Sven-Goran Eriksson, who they parted company with yesterday, although Blackburn Rovers coach Mark Hughes is expected to be confirmed in the Eastlands dug-out within the next 48 hours.

City slicker: but could Brazilian playmaker Ronaldinho really be turning out at Eastlands?

However, the managerial vacuum at the club has not stopped owner Thaksin Shinawatra from pressing forward with his plans to lure the former two-time Fifa World Player of the Year to the City of Manchester stadium for the start of next season, regardless of who will be in charge at the club.

Sources close to Thaksin say that members of City's Thai board are due to fly out to the player's home city of Porto Alegre in Brazil to meet with him face to face this weekend.

Should the club also manage to the secure the services of CSKA Moscow's £20 million-rated Brazilian forward Jo, then whoever does eventually take charge at Eastlands could have an explosive all-Brazilian front line at his disposal to kick off the new Premier League season.

In recent months Ronaldinho, 28, has reportedly had a tour of the City of Manchester stadium and it's facilities, while his brother and agent Roberto De Assis has also held a series of meetings with Thaksin's right-hand man, Pairoj Piempongsant, to discuss the potential transfer.

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Meanwhile, talks have been held with the Brazil international's main sponsors Nike, as well as with other potential investors who would help fund the player's massive wage demands, with Ronaldindo said to want £200,000 per week, a wage that would make him the world's highest-paid footballer.

By Richard Morgan

Football