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Thaksin Shinawatra's proposed takeover of Manchester City has moved a step closer despite number one target Claudio Ranieri snubbing the Blues hot-seat.

Ray Ranson has submitted further proposals to Manchester City in an effort to trigger formal takeover talks.

Stuart Pearce has confirmed a major investment into Manchester City is looking more likely.

Manchester City's board has announced to the London Stock Exchange that it is in "preliminary discussions" with potential investors that may lead to an offer for the club.

Manchester City have opened detailed talks which may lead to significant investment in the club.

Manchester City have reported an increase in turnover and operating profit for the year ending May 2006.

Chairman John Wardle has urged Manchester City’s players to “take a long look at themselves” after their mauling by Wigan.

MANCHESTER CITY chairman John Wardle believes Stuart Pearce will stay on as manager well beyond his current two-year contract.

SHAUN WRIGHT-PHILLIPS will be confirmed as Chelsea's newest recruit within 48 hours after the Premiership champions agreed to pay Manchester City £21m for the England international.

Shaun Wright-Phillips looks certain to become a Chelsea player by the end of the day.

Manchester City boss Stuart Pearce has warned Chelsea they will not get Shaun Wright-Phillips on the cheap.

Manchester City will not let Shaun Wright-Phillips talk to Chelsea until they have agreed a fee for the England winger.

NEW Manchester City boss Stuart Pearce took up the reins at Eastlands yesterday and said: “Judge me on eight years - not eight games.”

Stuart Pearce has been confirmed as the new manager of Manchester City on a two-year contract.

Stuart Pearce is confident Shaun Wright-Phillips will improve on last night’s impressive return to arms by the time Manchester City face Blackburn on Saturday.

Manchester City moved within four points of an unlikely European place as Stuart Pearce enhanced his chances of landing the manager’s job on a permanent basis.

SEETHING Manchester City chairman John Wardle has accused disgraced midfielder Joey Barton of letting the club down.

Manchester City midfielder Joey Barton has been handed a record fine of six weeks’ wages after being found guilty of gross misconduct following an internal investigation into an incident at the club’s Christmas party on Sunday.

Manchester City officials have dismissed suggestions that Kevin Keegan could be sacked this weekend – but there is no doubt the Blues boss is under renewed pressure after Saturday’s 1-0 home defeat by Everton.

Takeover talk surrounded the JD Sports chain today after its founder slashed his shareholding nearly in half.

Manchester City chairman John Wardle has admitted the club have contingencies in place should they lose their Premiership survival fight – but he is confident they will not be needed.

KEVIN KEEGAN has admitted that another month of misery for Manchester City will leave him seriously worried.

Manchester City chairman John Wardle last night said Marc-Vivien Foe will never be forgotten by the club or the wider world of football.

Manchester City fans have spent the night paying homage to Marc Vivien Foe by placing scarves and floral tributes outside the gates of their former home Maine Road.

CHAIRMAN John Wardle hailed David Seaman’s arrival at Manchester City and then delivered a statement of European intent to the rest of his Premier League rivals.

Stand-in Manchester City chairman John Wardle has again insisted he will not stay in the post beyond the summer despite fan pressure for him to do so.

MANCHESTER CITY legend Peter Barnes has warned the Maine Road outfit not to follow Leeds’ free-spending ways after the shock departure of chairman David Bernstein.

Manchester City chairman David Bernstein has tendered his resignation.

A TWO-YEAR-OLD girl suffered horrific facial injuries after she was attacked by the family's new pet dog, her mother said yesterday.

Australian jockey Craig Williams starts a four-week stint back in England today at Leicester nine months after his well-publicised split with Mick Channon.