First Robinho, now City go for Ronaldo, Torres and Cesc
Manchester mega-rich new owners revealed the staggering scope of their ambitions yesterday by boasting that they would smash the world transfer record and buy Cristiano Ronaldo from local rivals Manchester United in January for £135m.
Having underlined their vast spending potential on Monday by outbidding even Chelsea to sign £34m Real Madrid forward Robinho, Arabian investors Abu Dhabi United Group for Development and Investment (ADUG) now say they plan to make even more staggering purchases in the next transfer window.
Top of their list is an improbable move for Ronaldo, the most coveted player in the world, whom United refused to sell to Real during the summer despite the prospect of a world record fee. Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas and Liverpool striker Fernando Torres also feature on a fantasy football-style wish-list drawn up by ADUG’s figurehead Dr Sulaiman Al-Fahim.
All three players represent the biggest assets of City’s Premier League rivals, and as such would be extremely difficult to acquire, but Al-Fahim is bullish about his vision for the perennial top-flight strugglers.
“Ronaldo has said he wants to play for the biggest club in the world, so we will see in January if he is serious,” said Al-Fahim.
“Real Madrid were estimating his value at $160m (£90m) but for a player like that, to actually get him, will cost a lot more, I would think $240m (£135m). But why not? We are going to be the biggest club in the world, bigger than both Real Madrid and Manchester United.
“We’re not just going to spend money on anyone, but if we can get the biggest players in the world, and of course if the manager wants them, then we will get them.”
Al-Fahim has reportedly set aside more than £250m for transfers over the next two seasons, by which time he expects City to be leading contenders for the European Cup.
“We would like to see Manchester City fighting for trophies in every tournament,” added Al-Fahim. “We don’t just want Manchester City to be challenging for trophies in England, but also in the Champions League. We want them to be in for every trophy available.”
ADUG’s agreement to buy a controlling stake in City from the club’s owner, former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, was only announced on Monday.
By the end of the day the club had flexed their new-found financial muscle to land Robinho. Such a deal had seemed impossible just hours earlier, but the new regime is showing they intend to shake up the English game.
Chelsea, under Roman Abramovich, have led the way in spending vast sums on legions of superstars, but even they could not, or would not, match City’s bid for Robinho.
Ironically, the Brazilian forward is set to make his City debut on 13 September – against Chelsea.