Controversial ex-Man City owner Thaksin Shinawatra ‘in £150m Crystal Palace takeover talks’
FORMER Manchester City owner Thaksin Shinawatra is eyeing a return to the Premier League with a potential takeover at Crystal Palace.
Shinawatra, the ex-Prime Minister of Thailand has opened talks with the London club, 11 years after selling up at the Etihad.
According to Goal, billionaire Shinawatra has made contact with Eagles chairman Steve Parish and is prepared to buy the club for around £150million.
Shinawatra, 69, is prepared to spend big to help current boss Roy Hodgson improve the squad and look to break into the top ten.
Palace beat Bournemouth 5-3 to finish 12th in the league.
Miti Tiyapairat, ex-president of Thai top-flight side Chiangrai United, expects a deal to be concluded soon.
He told ONE31: “Currently, there are negotiations about price, management, and some other details, which should be ironed out soon.
“The deal is about £150m.”
Tiyapairat hinted he could be part of the new regime at Selhurst Park under Shinawatra.
He added: “I’m up for the task, It’s been my profession since I worked in management at Chiangrai United, although it is obviously a challenging role.
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“They’re in another class, another standard, but it would still be a pleasure for me, and for Thais, to own a world-class football club.”
Before buying City in 2007, Shinawatra tried to purchase Fulham and Liverpool.
Shinawatra does, however, does have a chequered past after been found guilty of corruption in his homeland, forcing him into exile.