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From Times Online

September 1, 2008

Arabian business group to complete Manchester City takeover

Dr Sulaiman Al Fahim, right, with Manchester City advisor Pairoj Piempongsant. (ArabianBusiness.com)

Ben Smith

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Manchester City say they have reached an agreement with the Abu Dhabi United Group for Development and Investment (ADUG) over the proposed sale of the club.

ADUG reportedly completed the takeover late last night after holding discussions with Dr Thaksin Shinawatra and the Premier League club have now confirmed an agreement has been reached.

The group have already set Mark Hughes, the City manager, the formidable task of finishing in the top four of the Premier League this season, adding that they want to attract the world's best footballers.

"Manchester City can confirm that a Memorandum of Understanding has been signed between the Abu Dhabi United Group (ADUG) and Manchester City Football Club Limited," a club statement read.

"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.

ADUG is expected to be represented on the new board by Dr Sulaiman Al Fahim, the chief executive officer of Hydra Properties, and he has already set out the group's vision for the Premier League club.

"Our goal is very simple - to make Manchester City the biggest club in the Premier League and, to begin with, to finish in the top four this season," Al Fahim said.

"We will release details later, but this is a great event for both the club and Abu Dhabi."

It is not known at this stage the exact size of the stake ADUG have bought from Thaksin, whose future at City as owner has been uncertain following the court proceedings started against him in Thailand, yet ADUG say the former Thai Prime Minister will remain at the club as honorary president with no administrative responsibilities.

ADUG are currently building a new football academy in Abu Dhabi in association with Inter Milan.

As a City fan I think we could finish in the top four because I don't see Liverpool or ManU doing all that well this season so there's
room for two new names up there.

Of course, I could just be deluded!

doug, Manchester ,

As a supporter who has followed City through thin..............
It'll be on eBay next week.

Ivor Semillon, Todmorden, UK

if i was a city fan i would be excited. if i was hughes i would be telling adug that fourth would be a miracle without massive spending before midnight tonight and probably even more massive spending in january. if they dont spend before the end of this window they dont have a cat in hells chance.

will, grimsby, uk

As a Fan & Former small shareholder of the club, I am feeling a little uncomfortable.. The recent signings are great news ofcourse, but where is all the money coming from ?? The words "Leeds United" keep ringing in my ears for some reason!!

Andy Cooper, Manchester,

Its over used and as thus is a bit of a cliche now, but its never dull being a Manchester City fan.

We just dont do the run of the mill mid table stuff other clubs, such as Aston Villa, seem to relish in, its all or nothing.

This has to be a positive move for the club

James, Manchester,

I'm prepared to be the Abu Dhabi Group £100m that City don't finish on the top 4 this season.

Matt, Manchester,

Does anyone knows whats going on?

I have heard from some people that we are also trying to hijack the Berbatov deal. £30m? Far too much money to spend on someone doesn't want to play for us.

Gary, Maidstone, UK

Ha ha ha ha ha. I remember thatFriday night used to be set aside for comedy on TV.
Now we get a laugh all week with football clubs, players, agents and chairmen.
Brilliant. Top 4 for City of course!

James, London,

Question: do these people need a ball to play football with or is just the money enough ?

E.Bee, Toulouse, France

Finish in the top four?? This all sounds very rushed and i bet Man City fans are taking all this very cautiously. Why does your club insist on hiting the self destruct buton time and time again. What happens if you dont make the four, will Hughes be sacked??

Chris B, birmingham,

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Arabian business group to complete Manchester City takeover